Egypt Pharaohs edged Uganda Cranes 1-0 at the Borg El Arab stadium in Alexanderia on Tuesday night to reclaim the group E top spot of the 2018 FIFA World Cup qualification campaign.
Liverpool forward Mohammed Salah scored the priceless goal on the night, just after 6 minutes to create the difference as Hector Cuper’s side returned to the summit of the group with two matches left.
Salah raced onto a well chipped ball from El Said to tap home a rebound after the initial effort had been saved by the CAF reigning footballer of the year (based in Africa) Dennis Onyango.
The goal was the first conceded by the Ugandan defence line in the current 2018 World Cup qualifiers in 5 matches (two against Togo, Ghana in Kumasi and two at home with Congo and Egypt).
For the opening half, the home side was the better entity with good ball possession although Onyango and his backline proved solid.
Uganda Cranes best chance of the half fell to KCCA forward Derrick Nsibambi whose header on 18 minutes off Emmanuel Okwi’s cross on the right went over the bar.
As the second half started, Romanian based winger William Luwagga Kizito replaced left winger Joseph Ochaya, a move envisaged by the technical bench to add pace and urgency upfront.
Luwagga combined well with left back Godfrey Walusimbi as Uganda steadily clawed back to the game.
The second change came after 67 minutes where forward Geofrey Sserunkuma replaced Emmanuel Okwi, hero during the first leg in Kampala.
Ramadhan Sobhni paved way for Hassan Mohammed with twenty minutes.
Hassan almost made an immediate impact but his shot was tamed by Onyango.
Seven minutes later, Egypt called for the second change when Ahmed Amr was introduced for Ahmed Maugoub.
Onyango was called upon to tame Salah’s curling ball from the right.
Milton Karisa was introduced late in the game for a weary Derrick Nsibambi but could do little to salvage at least a point for the Uganda Cranes.
Uganda’s midfielder Aucho Khalid was the only booked player in the entire match handled by South African FIFA referee.
Egypt now has 9 points and retains the top spot.
Uganda Cranes decend to second place with 7 points. Ghana Black Stars which humbled Congo away is on 5 and Congo has no chance of qualification as they remain on 1 point.
Uganda Cranes shall host Ghana on 8th October 2017 in Kampala.
On the other hand, Egypt will play Congo during the match day 5 menu.
Only one country will qualify out of group E for the FIFA World Cup finals in Russia come 2018.
Uganda Cranes XI: Denis Onyango (GK), Nico Wakiro Wadada, Godfrey Walusimbi, Isaac Isinde, Murushid Juuko, Wasswa Hassan Mawanda, Khalid Aucho, Emmanuel Arnold Okwi (67’Geoffrey Sserunkuma ), Faruku Miya, Derrick Nsibambi (88′ Milton Karisa), Joseph Benson Ochaya (46′ William Luwagga Kizito)
Substitutes Not Used: Ismail Watenga (G.K), Benjamin Ochan (GK) Muwanga Bernard, Ntege Ivan, Mutyaba Muzamiru Isaac Muleme
Egypt XI: Essam El-Hadary; Ahmed Fathi, Ahmed Hegazi, Rami Rabia, Mohamed Abdel-Shafy; Tarek Hamed, Mohamed Elneny, Abdallah El-Said, Ramadan Sobhi, Mohamed Salah; Amr Gamal
