Pharaohs take full control of group A

athletics21 March 2025 23:00| © Backpage TXT
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      Egypt have taken full control of group A in Africa’s 2026 Fifa World Cup qualifiers after they defeated Ethiopia 2-0 at the Larbi Zaouli Stadium in Casablanca, Morocco, on Friday night.

      The Pharaohs triumphed on the back of first-half strikes from Mohamed Salah and Zizo, with the result taking them five points clear of nearest chasers Burkina Faso at the top of the group A log.

      The Walia Ibex, meanwhile, have yet to win in these qualifiers and are placed fifth (second from bottom) – 10 points off the pace set by the North African heavyweights.

      Ethiopia competed well against their high-profile opponents for the first 30 minutes, but their hard work was undone when they gave the ball away in their own half and Hamdi Fathy played Mohamed Salah in on goal – the Liverpool forward duly finished past debutant goalkeeper Abubeker Ambisa to make it 1-0 in the 31st minute.

      Salah then went from scorer to provider, playing a well-weighted pass to meet the run of Zizo, who scored from a tight angle to make it 2-0 in the 40th minute and put the North Africans in complete control of the match.

      The second half saw the Pharaohs ease off the throttle somewhat, though they still created notable chances – especially for Trezeguet, who was unlucky not to win a penalty for being chopped down in the box. Trezeguet was denied by Ambisa's brilliant double save and the Egyptian also hit the upright on three separate occasions.

      Ultimately, Hossam Hassan’s side had to settle for just a 2-0 win – which did not accurately reflect their dominance – but a three-point haul takes them a step closer to qualifying for the global showpiece in North America next year.

      Ethiopia will be back in group A action on Monday, 24 March, ‘hosting’ Djibouti in another match in neutral Morocco, while Egypt welcome Sierra Leone to Cairo the following day.

      Ethiopia 0

      Egypt (2) 2 (Salah 31’, Zizo 40’)

      Ethiopia: Ambisa, James, Tamene, Terfa (Reshid 73’), Kassaye, Biruk (Wolde 46’), Yohannes (Getu 63’), Worku, Bekele, Gugsa (Desta 63’), Nasir (Abera 78’)

      Egypt: El Shenawy, Hany, Rabia, Abdelmonem, Zizo (Shehata 84’), Fathy (Sobhi 84’), Ateya, Trezeguet (Kouka 90’), Marmoush (Fathi 90’), Salah, Faisal (M. Mohamed 70’)