Israel Saria
Sat, 26 Jan 21:47:00 2008
Title holders Egypt continued their free-scoring form at the African Nations Cup with a 3-0 win over outsiders Sudan in Group C.
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Hosni Abd Rabou broke the deadlock with a controversial, twice-taken penalty in the 28th minute and Mohamed Aboutrika scored twice in a five-minute spell late in the game.
Egypt, 4-2 winners over Cameroon in their first game, lead the group with a maximum six points while Cameroon and Zambia have three apiece.
Sudan, who fought hard and gave their more powerful neighbours a tough time until the last 15 minutes, are bottom with none.
Sudan, beaten 3-0 by Zambia in their opener, could have taken an early lead when Haitham Tambal broke free on the left but his shot was blocked by goalkeeper Essam Al Hadari at the near post.
Egypt’s first chance came in the 10th minute when Mohamed Zidan broke through but had the ball taken off his foot by Alaeldin Ahmed Gibril as he was about to shoot.
The defending champions, who surprisingly left midfielder Ahmed Hassan out of the starting line-up, went ahead in the 28th minute with a soft penalty won and converted by Rabou. Rabou appeared to trip over the outstretched arms of Mahjoub El Moez as the Sudanese goalkeeper dived at his feet.
Rabou converted a second attempt with a low shot into the right-hand corner, his first effort having been disallowed because the ball was not properly on the spot.
Zidan forced a good saved from El Moez early in the second half as Sudan refused to lie down and gave the Pharaohs some uncomfortable moments.
Egypt finally made the game safe in the 78th minute when Aboutrika scored with a well-taken goal from Amr Zaki’s pass.
Aboutrika added the third five minutes later when he latched onto Rabou’s pass and scored with a shot which went between El Moez and the near post.
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