Egypt’s ahead Salah Mohsen (centre) fights for the ball with Angola’s defender David Carmo (left) and Angola’s defender Kialonda Gaspar (proper) through the Africa Cup of Nations. Photograph: AFP
AGADIR:
Egypt rested all their key gamers however nonetheless stored up their unbeaten run on the Africa Cup of Nations, drawing 0-0 with Angola on Monday to complete their Group B marketing campaign on seven factors.
Egypt had already confirmed high spot within the group earlier than kickoff, permitting them the posh of constructing 11 adjustments from their 1-0 win over South Africa on Friday, and giving gamers like Mohamed Salah and Omar Marmoush the day without work.
Angola completed third within the group however should wait to see whether or not they may advance to the final 16 as probably the greatest 4 third-placed finishers.
Their two-point haul means they’ve an anxious wait and can solely advance if Comoros and Zambia lose in Group A afterward Monday and Tanzania and Uganda are crushed of their final Group C matches on Tuesday.
Angola had the higher of the probabilities to win the sport with Chico Banza’s Forty second-minute effort coming closest.
He performed a fast one-two with fellow ahead Mabululu and held off two defenders however put his effort previous the put up.
Mabululu had two photographs on objective and captain Fredy shaved the skin of the put up with a free kick early within the second half, after forcing a pointy save from Egypt goalkeeper Mostafa Shobeir minutes earlier than the break.
Substitute Mbala Nzola had a run on objective within the eightieth minute however hit the facet netting whereas a last-minute free kick from Manuel Benson went crusing over.
French-based striker Mostafa Mohamed captained Egypt and arrange a Twentieth-minute alternative with a spectacular overhead kick from a nook that provided Hossam Abdelmaguid an opportunity to attain from shut vary, however he headed over the crossbar.
Egypt coach glad
Substitute Ahmed Zizo may even have claimed the opener within the second half however was thwarted whereas in place.
Egypt will keep in Agadir for his or her last-16 conflict towards probably the greatest third-placed finishers subsequent Monday.
“We needed a constructive outcome and this draw is satisfying,” stated coach Hossam Hassan.
“We selected to vary the crew and relaxation those that performed loads within the first two matches. I’m very glad with the gamers we fielded tonight. We’re proud of this outcome and we’re wanting ahead to the spherical of 16 whatever the crew that stands forward of us. We’re prepared,” he added.
South Africa, who beat Zimbabwe 3-2 in Marrakech within the different Group B conflict on Monday, ended second within the group with six factors, and can play the runner-up in Group F of their last-16 tie in Rabat on Sunday.
“For my part, it’s higher that the Africa Cup of Nations be held each two years as a substitute of 4,” Hassan said in remarks conveyed by the Egyptian Soccer Affiliation on its official Fb web page.
“This could serve the pursuits of European leagues.”
The Confederation of African Soccer introduced final week that the event can be staged each 4 years sooner or later, ending a convention of biennial competitors that dates again to 1957 and prompting criticism from some coaches.
By topping their group, Egypt will stay in Agadir to play their final 16 match subsequent Monday.
“We’re able to face any crew within the spherical of 16, the following stage can be powerful and the competitors is robust. We are going to work on rising the positives within the subsequent match and correcting the negatives,” Hassan stated.
“I’m glad with the efficiency of those that performed for the primary time within the Africa Cup of Nations. The purpose of the Angola match was to check extra gamers,” he added.
Egypt made 11 adjustments from the facet that beat South Africa 1-0 on Friday, resting gamers corresponding to Mohamed Salah and Omar Marmoush.
“Resting multiple participant was because of the brief time between the South Africa and Angola matches,” stated Hassan, who received the Africa Cup of Nations 3 times as a participant in 1986, 1998 and 2006.
