Egypt became the only African side to collect nine points in the group stage of the 2010 African Cup of Nations after beating Benin 2-0 on Wednesday. Goals from Ahmed Al-Muhammadi and Emad Meteb gave the defending champions their third straight victory in Group C. No other team in the tournament registered, or have the chance to register, three wins in the group stage. Egypt, already secured qualification to the quarter-finals before the game, reinforced their position as group leaders. Nigeria also reached the last eight after crushing Mozambique 3-0 on the same day. After captaining the Pharaohs against Benin, Ahmed Hassan celebrated equaling Hossam Hassan's record as Egypt's most capped player with 169 international matches. Easy Ride
Al-Muhammadi also scored Manager Hassan Shehata gave three players their first start in the tournament after already guaranteeing first spot. Defenders Moatasem Salem and Abdul-Zaher Al-Saqqa alongside striker Ahmed Raouf were named in the starting line-up. Mohamed Abdul-Shafi and Al-Muhammadi, who previously participated off the bench, also started. The game was an easy ride for the six-time African Cup winners as they took the lead after just seven minutes. Right-back Al-Muhammadi sent a wicked lob from nearly 20 meters. It eluded Benin keeper Yoann Djidonou and floated into the back of the net. Egypt dominated possession and doubled the lead in the 24th minute when he slotted home on the rebound, after Ahmed Raouf's header hit the post. Although Meteb's effort was parried by the Benin keeper, the referee allowed the goal because the ball passed the line.
Abdul-Wahed Al-Sayed TV replays proved the referee's decision was right. Squandered Chances Egypt had several chances to widen the gap in the second period through Meteb, Raouf and Mohamed Zidan, who replaced Al-Saqqa. Meteb went one-on-one with the keeper in the 55th minute after a silky pass from Hassan but his weak effort was palmed away by Djidonou. Five minutes later, Djidonou stopped a low shot from Raouf before he blocked Zidan's dink after the Dortmund striker rounded two defenders. Shehata introduced Mohamed Nagi 'Geddo' who scored in the last two games, replacing the unlucky Raouf. He also fielded keeper Abdul-Wahid Al-Sayed in the last 14 minutes for Essam Al-Hadari. Skipper Hassan and Meteb had a couple of chances in the last five minutes but Djidonou stopped them.
