The Egypt U-23s produced a vintage performance to save the African champions' blushes and beat Niger 3-0 in the final CAN 2012 qualifier in Cairo. Despite the defeat, Niger have qualified for the Gabon/Equatorial Guinea finals for the first time ever, thanks to a better head-to-head record than South Africa and Sierra Leone. South Africa and Sierra Leone played out a goalless draw in Nelspruit, handing Niger a priceless ticket to the finals as the three teams finished level on nine points. Egypt, who were already eliminated from the qualifiers, claim their fifth point but remain bottom of Group 7. All goals were scored after the break, courtesy of a brace from Petrojet striker Marwan Mohsen and a strike by Arab Contractors'' starlet Mohamed Salah. Al-Shennawi heroics The first half witnessed more threat on goal from the visitors, who were twice thwarted by wonderkid goalkeeper Ahmed Al-Shennawi. The Masri guardian made an acrobatic save to parry away Boubacar Talatou's lobbing shot, before producing a marvelous block to deny Alhassane Issoufou from close range. The best chance of the half for Egypt came at the mercy of skipper Ahmed Hassan, who astonishingly headed into the Niger keeper's hand from inside the six-yard box.
Al-Shennawi was excellent Style on Egypt turned on the style after half time and the deadlock was broken in less than two minutes, thanks to fine team goal finished off by Mohsen. The 22-year-old, who scored on his senior debut in Sierra Leone last month, slotted home Omar Gaber's cross from the right to double his international tally. Seven minutes later, up-and-coming foward Salah superbly exchanged passes with Contractors mate Mohamed Al-Nenni to split the Niger defense and move clear on goal before firing home with his left foot past the hapless keeper. Even though veteran Hassan was taken off by coach Hany Ramzy, the young Pharaohs' confidence was on the up against an off-form Niger side. Man of the match Mohsen made it three on 70 minutes when he received a deft through pass from substitute Saleh Gomaa, before steering home with aplomb past the advancing keeper. Egypt, who only scored twice before the game, continued to outplay their visitors and Al-Shennawi made a couple more saves to deny Moussa Maazou and Co. The match ended and the Niger players were dejected knowing they have failed to qualify, only to receive news later that they are group leaders.
