The Egyptian Olympic football team has qualified for the All-Africa Games in Algeria in July, writes Ahmed Morsy The qualification came after Egypt thrashed Ethiopia 4-0 at home on Sunday, overturning a 2-0 loss in the first- leg. Defender Karim Zikri opened the score line after just eight minutes when he met Ahmed Samir Farag's cross at the far post with a superb diving header. In the 40th minute, Farag was brought down inside the area. Abdullah El-Said converted from the penalty spot. Two minutes after half time, Ahmed Abdel-Zaher's shot from close range was denied by the crossbar. Greece-based left-back Amr El-Halawani added the all-important third goal four minutes past the hour mark following a superb individual effort as he side-stepped two defenders and went clear on one-on-one before chipping the ball over the keeper from a reduced angle. Substitute Ahmed Ragab, known as Reo, added an insurance goal in the 83rd minute when he latched on to Shikabala's deft through pass and slotted home. By that time Ethiopia was playing with just 10 players after a sending off. "Even though our counterpart was not that strong, the win was crucial to restore the players' confidence after their recent unsatisfactory appearances," Eduardo Vingada, Egypt's Portuguese Olympic coach, told the press after the match. Last month, Egypt was held to a 1-1 home draw by Ivory Coast in the first leg qualifications for the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games. The second leg is on 25 March. Egypt needs to grab a win away from home if they are to reach the qualifiers' group stage. "The win was also necessary in order to restore our trust before the second leg against the Ivory Coast," Vingada said. Vingada, the former Zamalek coach, denied rumors that he agreed to move to Dubai-based club Ahli after spending a two-day holiday in UAE last month. "I'm not the type of person who doesn't honour his contract which has not expired." Earlier this month, the Egyptian Football Association (EFA) decided to postpone the 23rd round of the domestic league scheduled for 8 March. EFA made its decision based on a request from Vingada in order to prepare for Ethiopia. In other matches, Mozambique defeated Zimbabwe 1-0 at home and qualified following their goalless first leg. Meanwhile, Hassan Shehata, Egypt national team coach, has named six European-based players for the qualifier for the African Cup of Nations against Mauritania. Tottenham duo Mido and Hossam Ghali, Mainz's Mohamed Zidan, Anderlecht midfielder Ahmed Hassan, Sheffield United's Ahmed Fathi and Rizespor defender Ibrahim Said, in addition to Saudi Arabia's Al-Shabab Amir Azmi will gather on 25 March in Group B of the qualifiers. Egypt is in charge of the group with four points after two games, one ahead of second-placed Mauritania. The group includes Burundi and Botswana.
