Four goals in the first half proved enough for the Pharaohs as Egypt secured a comfortable 4-1 victory against eSwatini in the third round of 2019 AFCON qualifications group stages.
The Pharaohs didn’t find much struggle against eSwatini as they manged to break their resistance after just six minutes when Ahmed Elmohamedy tapped Marwan Mohsen’s header from Amr Warda’s corner into the net to put Egypt in front.
Five more minutes, Egypt were already 2-0 up after brilliant play between Mohsen and Elmohamdy, who dribbled past eSwatini’s defender before playing a low cross to Warda who finished into the net to score his first ever goal with the National Team.
In the 19th minute, Mohamed Salah played a smart pass between eSwatini’s defenders to Mohsen who went through the goal before his effort went well over.
Mahmoud Hassan Trezeguet collected Mohamed Elneny’s through ball between eSwatini’s defenders, before Kasimpasa’s winger sent a left-footed strike into the bottom of the net of extend the Egyptians’ lead, scoring his first ever official goal with the Pharaohs.
In the 45th minute, Mohamed Salah added his name to the score-sheet with a beautiful goal as he intelligently played the corner directly into the net to give the Pharaohs a comfortable four-goal lead as they head to the dressing rooms.
The second half witnessed the continuation of Egypt;s dominance over the pitch, Salah had the chance after just two minutes to double his tally but his freekick effort hit the side netting.
In the 50th minute, Trezeguet collected the ball near the edge of the penalty area, before getting past eSwatini’s defenders and trying a low curling effort but it hit the right bar.
18 more minutes, a brilliant exchange of possession between Elneny and Salah sent Liverpool’s winger through but Salah’s final touch wasn’t enough to double the lead.
Another chance for the Egyptians as Mohamed Elneny tried a long-range effort towards the net but eSwatini’s goalkeeper was there to deny Arsenal’s midfielder.
Five minutes away from the final whistle, eSwatini who rarely threatened Mohamed El-Shennawy’s net all over the game, managed to pull one back through Sibonginkhosi Gamedze, who exploited on El-Shennawy’s out-positioning away from his goal, to find the net from the halfway line.
In the 88th minute, the game’s most annoying news came as Mohamed Salah came out of the game after picking an injury in his calf muscles, before the final whistle gave Egypt the three points.
The Pharaohs strengthened their position in the second position of Group J with six points, before facing eSwatini once again next Tuesday.
Reports by King Fut
