Fathi fires Egypt past Ethiopia

Egypt secured a 1-0 win over Ethiopia in a 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) qualification group D match at the 30 June Stadium on Friday evening.

Therefore, the Pharaohs wrapped up a successful qualifying campaign with a victory and they finished at the top of the group D standings, having impressively collected 15 points from six matches.

Ethiopia, on the other hand, ended their disappointing qualifying campaign with a defeat as they finished fourth in the group D standings, having accumulated just four points from six games.

Walia Ibex were forced to defend deep as the Pharaohs pushed for the opening goal in the early stages of the encounter and Mohamed Abdelmonem was denied by goalkeeper Seid Habtamu in the 22nd minute.

The hosts continued to launch attacks and they deservedly broke the deadlock in the 37th minute when Mostafa Fathi scored from close range after Habtamu had parried the ball into the Pyramids attacker's path and Egypt were leading 1-0 during the halftime break.

Ethiopia came back an improved side after the restart and Shemelis Bekele had a chance to score in the 58th minute, but he was denied by goalkeeper Mohamed El Shenawy who also saved an effort from Abel Yalew in the 78th minute.

The Pharaohs were then able to contain Walia Ibex and ultimately, the match ended in a 1-0 victory in favour of Egypt, who avenged the 2-0 defeat they suffered against Ethiopia in June last year.

Egypt (1) 1 (Fathi 37')

Ethiopia (0) 0

Egypt: El-Shenawy, Hany, Gabr, Abdelmonem, Hamdi (El Fotouh 90'+1), Hamada, Fathy (Morsy 90'+1), Attia (Adel 67'), Fathi (Zizo 77'), Marmoush (Hamed 67'), Mohamed.

Ethiopia: Habtamu, Adugna, Tamene, Yesuf, Panom, Markneh (Gezahegn 66'), Dagnachew (Bekele 46'), Gugsa (Tilahun 46'), Yalew, Hotessa (Tadessa 81').