Egypt are paying the price of a shambolic start as they trail 3-1 against Ghana in the World Cup qualifying final playoff in Kumasi. A slack defensive display allowed the hosts to go two-nil up after 22 minutes, with an Asamoah Gyan strike and a Wael Gomaa own goal. Mohamed Abou-Treika pulled one back for Egypt with a penalty, only for Abdul-Majeed Waris to restore Ghana's two-goal advantage with a close-range header. Egypt could still maintain their hopes of a comeback if they managed to score another away goal after the break, with the second leg taking place next month in Cairo.