A first-half header from Ahmed Hassan gave Egypt, who played without their foreign-based players, an easy 1-0 home victory over Kenya in a friendly game on Friday. The Ahli midfielder scored what proved to be the winner in the 26th minute. The Pharaohs had to play without the likes of Amr Zaki, Mido, Hosni Abd-Rabou and Emad Meteb as the game was not included in FIFA's international match calendar. Egypt coach Hassan Shehata deployed a 4-4-2 formation, the strategy he usually uses during friendly games. He switches to his favored 3-5-2 formation in official matches. Zamalek keeper Abdul-Wahed Al-Sayed stood between the sticks instead of regular guardian Essam Al-Hadari. Ismaili's in-form midfielder Ahmed Khairi made his debut to partner Ahmed Fathi in the heart of Egypt's midfield. Harras Hodoud's Ahmed Abdul-Ghani played as a lone striker and was supported by wide men Ahmed Eid and Mahmoud Abdul-Razek ‘Shikabala'. The hosts dominated possession in the early stages of the game but struggled to break down Kenya's defense. Egypt were restricted to some long-range shots from Hassan, Fathi and Khairi. They managed to break the deadlock in the 26th minute when Eid's precise cross from the left found the unmarked Hassan, who headed home from close range.
The veteran midfielder could have doubled Egypt's advantage four minutes later. Talented winger Shikabala laid off the ball for Hassan on the edge of the area and the latter unleashed a powerful drive that was tipped over the bar by Kenya keeper. Left-back Ahmed Samir Farag also came close to finding the net on the stroke of halftime when he was released by a deft Eid pass inside the area but his weak effort did not trouble the keeper. New Faces Shehata introduced several new faces in the second half as Kenya posed no threat. Hodoud midfielder Mohamed Al-Herda, Petrojet left-back Osama Hassan, Tersana striker Ahed Abdul-Maguid and ENPPI's Abdul-Aziz Tawfik were given a chance to prove their worth. The second half was a dull affair as Kenya maintained their defensive approach while Egypt created few chances. Abdul-Maguid wasted two clear-cut opportunities to extend the six-time African champions' lead. Abdullah Saied, a second-half substitute, also tried his luck but his shots were not accurate. Watch Egypt's goal
