Morsi hat-trick keeps Pharaohs up, Fennecs stay top
Egypt and Algeria continued with their impressive run in the qualifiers with victories away from home during the Day Two matches on Sunday.
Record seven-time winners, the Pharaohs were simply too much for their hosts Chad, handing them a 5-1 defeat in N’Djamena with in-form Zamalek forward Bassem Morsi registering a hat-trick in the Group G clash, whilst ‘Les Fennecs’ of Algeria humbled Lesotho 3-1 in front of the local fans in Maseru in Group J.
With both sides reclaiming top spots in their respective groups, it was Egypt who did it in grand style with Morsi making the headlines in their quest to make the finals of the showpiece continental football gathering for the first time since 2010.
The Zamalek man capitalised on a blunder by the Chadian goalie, who spilled a harmless shot to notch home the opener after two minutes before doubling the lead with an acute angled shot on 25 minutes that left the goalie with no option.
‘Les Sao’ reduced the deficit on 38 minutes through Nadjim Haroun, but their hopes were cut short when AS Roma midfielder restored the visitors two-goal lead with a cool finish five minutes before the break.
Midfield sensation Mahmoud Abdel Moneim ‘Kahraba’ increased the tally on 56 minutes before Morsi completed his hat-trick with a header on 62 minutes. Egypt has six points, two more than Nigeria, held to a barren draw by Tanzania away in Dar es Salaam on Saturday.
Substitute El Arbi Soudani was the ‘superman’ for Algeria scoring two late goals to tame hosts Lesotho. ‘Les Fennecs’ went up on 32 minutes through Faouzi Ghoulam before Ralekoti Mokhahlane restored parity with a shot that beat the North Africans goalie.
Soudani, who plays for Croatian side Dinamo Zagreb, made his presence felt moments after coming on by heading Algeria into the lead on 85 minutes before connecting a Yacine Brahimi pass at the death to seal victory.
Elsewhere in Harare, the Warriors of Zimbabwe came from behind to hold Guinea to a 1-1 draw in Group L. Ibrahima Traore punished Zimbabwean goalie Washington Arubi to open the scores after three minutes before Knowledge Musona equalized on 34 minutes.
In other Group L clash, Swaziland came from behind to earn a 2-2 draw with visiting Malawi in Lobamba. The Flames led at half time with goals from Gerald Phiri and Chiukepo Msowoya, whilst Limbikani Mzava scored in between. Sifiso Mabila grabbed the equalizer on 63 minutes to take his side’s tally to four points, same as Zimbabwe. Guinea and Malawi have a point each.
Former winners, Zambia came from behind to down hosts Kenya in their Group E encounter in Nairobi. Michael Olunga powered the Harambee Stars into the lead on 13 minutes. Winston Kalengo restored parity on 28 minutes before veteran Collins Mbesuma scored three minutes before the break to ensure the Chipolopolo’s first win of the qualifiers.
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