Egypt held on Cup of Nations return
Egypt held on Cup of Nations return
January 19, 2017 | 12:02 AM
Egypt’s midfielder Tarek Hamed (R) challenges Mali’s defender Salif Coulibaly during their 2017 Africa Cup of Nations match in Port Gentil Tuesday. - AFP
January 19, 2017 | 12:02 AM
Last Updated: January 19, 2017 | 12:02 AM
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Egypt’s midfielder Tarek Hamed (R) challenges Mali’s defender Salif Coulibaly during their 2017 Africa Cup of Nations match in Port Gentil Tuesday. - AFP[/caption]PORT GENTIL - Egypt marked its return to the African Nations Cup Finals with a dour 0-0 draw against Mali in Group D Tuesday, as 44-year-old Egyptian goalkeeper Essam El Hadary became the oldest player in the tournament’s history.
It was a tough physical contest on a poor pitch with little to entertain the crowd at the newly-built Port Gentil stadium, as the two teams rounded-off the first round of group matches at the three-week tournament.
El Hadary, who had been Egypt’s first-choice keeper for two World Cup qualifiers late last year, was dropped for Tuesday’s match, but came on in the 23rd minute after Ahmed El Shenawi injured himself scrambling to tip away a curling cross.
He had little to do for the remainder of the first half as both teams struggled to break through tight defenses, although Mali’s Lassana Coulibaly missed a good opportunity from Moussa Marega’s cross in the 42nd minute.
Egypt’s first real chance came after the break when Marwan Mohsen surged through to head a clever cross from Abdallah El Said, but his effort was tipped over by Mali’s goalkeeper.
The game remained a bruising midfield battle with too many mistakes and hardly any goal-scoring chances and it was only near the end of the game that El Hadary was called into action to come out to make a one-handed stop to deny Marega.
Egypt won three back-to-back Nations Cup titles between 2006 and 2010, but then did not qualify for the next three editions.
“We would be much happier of course if we had won but this will not really change too much what we need to do in our coming games,” said Egypt’s Argentine coach Hector Cuper, who admitted concern as to the fitness of El Shennawy ahead of medical tests Wednesday.
In Tuesday’s other Group D match, Ghana’s Andre Ayew scored a first-half penalty to secure a 1-0 victory over Uganda.
Ghana is now in control of Group D and is one of only three teams to have won a match so far along with Senegal and DR Congo.
West Ham United star Ayew converted from the spot just after the half-hour mark in the day’s first game after Isaac Isinde had fouled Asamoah Gyan inside the area.
Ghana then withstood Ugandan pressure in the second half to win 1-0 and end its poor recent record against the Cranes that had seen it fail to win in three encounters in qualifying for the 2015 Cup of Nations and 2018 World Cup.
The Black Stars, who lost on penalties to the Ivory Coast in the 2015 final, are looking to win the trophy for the first since 1982.
Uganda will next take on Egypt.
Egypt’s midfielder Tarek Hamed (R) challenges Mali’s defender Salif Coulibaly during their 2017 Africa Cup of Nations match in Port Gentil Tuesday. - AFP[/caption]PORT GENTIL - Egypt marked its return to the African Nations Cup Finals with a dour 0-0 draw against Mali in Group D Tuesday, as 44-year-old Egyptian goalkeeper Essam El Hadary became the oldest player in the tournament’s history.
It was a tough physical contest on a poor pitch with little to entertain the crowd at the newly-built Port Gentil stadium, as the two teams rounded-off the first round of group matches at the three-week tournament.
El Hadary, who had been Egypt’s first-choice keeper for two World Cup qualifiers late last year, was dropped for Tuesday’s match, but came on in the 23rd minute after Ahmed El Shenawi injured himself scrambling to tip away a curling cross.
He had little to do for the remainder of the first half as both teams struggled to break through tight defenses, although Mali’s Lassana Coulibaly missed a good opportunity from Moussa Marega’s cross in the 42nd minute.
Egypt’s first real chance came after the break when Marwan Mohsen surged through to head a clever cross from Abdallah El Said, but his effort was tipped over by Mali’s goalkeeper.
The game remained a bruising midfield battle with too many mistakes and hardly any goal-scoring chances and it was only near the end of the game that El Hadary was called into action to come out to make a one-handed stop to deny Marega.
Egypt won three back-to-back Nations Cup titles between 2006 and 2010, but then did not qualify for the next three editions.
“We would be much happier of course if we had won but this will not really change too much what we need to do in our coming games,” said Egypt’s Argentine coach Hector Cuper, who admitted concern as to the fitness of El Shennawy ahead of medical tests Wednesday.
In Tuesday’s other Group D match, Ghana’s Andre Ayew scored a first-half penalty to secure a 1-0 victory over Uganda.
Ghana is now in control of Group D and is one of only three teams to have won a match so far along with Senegal and DR Congo.
West Ham United star Ayew converted from the spot just after the half-hour mark in the day’s first game after Isaac Isinde had fouled Asamoah Gyan inside the area.
Ghana then withstood Ugandan pressure in the second half to win 1-0 and end its poor recent record against the Cranes that had seen it fail to win in three encounters in qualifying for the 2015 Cup of Nations and 2018 World Cup.
The Black Stars, who lost on penalties to the Ivory Coast in the 2015 final, are looking to win the trophy for the first since 1982.
Uganda will next take on Egypt.
