Egypt went three points clear on top of Group B after crushing Mauritania 3-0 at Cairo International Stadium in the 2008 African Cup of Nations qualifiers. The African champions went to the lockers room two-up, thanks to Mohamed Zidan's strike and an own goal by Belal Sidebe. Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Hossam Ghaly completed the rout in the second-half to help the African champions claim an easy win. Mauritania played with 10 men on the field for most of the second period after midfielder Mohamed Yaakoub was sent-off 12 minutes after re-start for a second bookable offense. The victory put Egypt in charge of their group with seven points, three ahead of second-placed Botswana while Mauritania lie third on three points. As expected, Mauritania played with a defensive strategy which wasn't effective in front of Egypt's attacking waves. In-form Mainz forward Zidan broke the deadlock in the 20th minute with a brilliant effort after being set-up by Egypt skipper Ahmed Hassan. Hassan skillfully put the ball between a Mauritania defender's legs into the path of Zidan, who curled a right-footed shot into the far top corner of the net.
The Pharaohs doubled their lead three minutes later when Ghaly chested Hassan's superb long ball before providing a low cross which was converted by Sidebe into his own net. Mauritania then employed an offside-trap strategy which Egypt broke on several occasions but couldn't convert easy opportunities in front of goal. In the 28th minute, Zidan's low shot from inside the area just missed the target before Emad Meteb fired poorly wide whilst he was on one-on-one situation after being fed by Ghaly's neat pass. Two minutes before the break, Hassan went clear on goal but his low shot was easily collected by the keeper. Former Ahli and Feyenoord midfielder Ghaly added the third six minutes after the hour mark when he connected with Omar Gamal's header to send a wonderful scissors kick into the back of the net. Zidan should have extended the score line five minutes later but his attempt to round the keeper was unsuccessful. Below-par Meteb was given his marching orders seconds before the final whistle due to a reckless tackle.
