Egypt have all but suffered an unprecedented elimination from the Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers after being frustrated to a 0-0 home draw by South Africa. The African champions remain languishing at the bottom of Group 7 with two points, while unbeaten leaders South Africa have almost qualified after gaining their eighth point. Egypt now need a miracle to go through as one of two best runners-up, hoping that South Africa would not lose against Niger and Sierra Leone and all other groups would go in their favor. Group 9 current runners-up Sudan are already on 10 points, two more than the maximum that Egypt can achieve from their next two games, which leaves the latter with an outside chance of surpassing all other groups runners-up. It was a disappointing night for Hassan Shehata's men at the Military Academy, with the hosts coming close to claiming the three points more than once. Shehata handed ENPPI striker Ahmed Abdul-Zaher a rare start in a two-man frontline alongside Mohamed Zidan, with Shikabala playing behind the duo. Al-Hadari heoics After winning three corners inside the opening ten minutes, Egypt then struggled against their very organized visitors and were fortunate not to concede before the break, thanks to the heroics of veteran custodian Essam Al-Hadari. The South Africans gradually controlled possession in the opening half hour and almost took the lead on 28 minutes when Siyabonga Sangweni's close-range header was parried by the Egypt keeper. Four minutes later, Al-Hadari was again called into action, this time making a full-stretch save to deny Siphiwe Tshabalala from distance.
Al-Hadari made some crucial saves Ten minutes before the break, the threat became increasingly alerting when Katlego Mphela went through on goal and nearly scored a copy of his killer strike back in March, only to hit the legs of the vigilant Al-Hadari. Egypt began to feel the tension and a substitution in attack seemed on the cards, with Zidan looking way off form. Despite South Africa's dominance in terms of chances, Egypt almost ended the first half in front with their first sight on goal when Ahmed Elmohamady's close-range effort forced a great save from Itumeleng Khune on the stroke of half time. Frustration and Al-Hadari the hero again Zidan's imminent exit came 11 minutes after the break when the Borussia Dortmund forward made way for CAN 2010 supersub Geddo. In the 15th minute, South Africa keeper Khune made the save of the day denying Ahmed Fathi's rocketing effort from 18 yards. Bafana replied instantly as Mphela was again sent clear on goal, rounded Al-Hadari and looked set to hit the empty target, only for Mahmoud Fathallah to intervene with a crucial last-man saving tackle. Shehata's second substitution came in the 20th minute, with Ahmed Ali replacing Shikabala. But all the Master's efforts came to no avail as Egypt inexplicably relied on long balls, with most of their attempts falling into the safe hands of the confident Khune. The disappointing result seemed imminent but South Africa nearly snatched another stoppage time victory through substitute Tlou Segolela, but Egypt's top performer Al-Hadari was again to his side's rescue with a vital stop.
