Egypt clinch top spot ahead of the Cranes of Uganda in the ongoing Africa Cup of Nations. Goals from Liverpool forward Mohamed Salah and Ahmed Elmohamady gave the host nation deserved three points against Uganda at the Cairo International Stadium.
Two first half strikes from the Pharaohs clinched the maximum points against the Cranes. Stunning freekick from Salah and a wonderful low drive shot from the team captain El Mohammady was enough for Egypt to claim the top spot.
Egypt coach, Javier Aguirre made a change in his starting line up as Ahmed Hassan replaced Marwan Mohsen but Uganda sticked with the same lineup that got a win and a draw in their previous two games.
Uganda have had all the opportunities but it was Egypt who took the lead in the 36th minute with a goal from their first shot on target. The tournament hosts win a free-kick 25 yards from goal after a quick break and up steps Salah who thump it into the back of the net.
Here is the full goal of Salah
what a goal ?????????????????#Uganda 0-1 #EgyptPlease retweet and follow our main account: @goalstv3 ?.#UGAEGY #AFCON2019
— CAF with goalstv (@CafWith) June 30, 2019
Egypt almost got the second goal few minutes later as Trezeguet wriggles into the area and drives a shot at goal but Denis Onyango saves well.
Egypt gave the Cranes a lesson in clinical finishing as they made it 2-0 before the half time whistle after a wonderful play from Ayman Ashraf from the right wing. He cuts the ball back and although Salah misses his attempted shot, the Pharaohs captain Ahmed Elmohamady is in space behind him and the fullback takes a touch before driving a low finish into the far corner.
Ahmed Elmohamady scores his second goal of the #AFCON2019 tournament! Legend @Elmo_27 #AVFC #UTV #VTID pic.twitter.com/OZ0MN4rQ4a
— avfchistory (@avfchistory) June 30, 2019
The statistics make for frustrating reading for Uganda in the first half. They had twice as many shots on target in that half and yet have nothing to show for it.
Egypt started the second half on a bright note as Salah steals a big save from Onyago. The Liverpool man ran through the defence but his shot was saved by the Cranes captain. It was big loss for the Cranes in the 71st minute after their captain Onyango had to leave the pitch because of injury. He is in fact having to be taken off on a stretcher. Hopefully it is nothing too serious.
Egypt will now face the best losers from Group C,D, and E while Uganda who qualified as the runnersup will face the second placed team in group C.
Lineup
Uganda: Denis Onyango; Timothy Dennis Awany, Nico Wadada, Godfrey Walusimbi, Hassan Wasswa, Khalid Aucho, Michael Azira, Allan Kyambadde, Farouk Miya, Lumala Abdu, Emmanuel Okwi.
Egypt: Mohamed El-Shenawy, Ayman Ashraf, Ahmed Hegazy, Ahmed El-Mohamady, Abdallah El-Said, Mohamed Elneny, Mahmoud Trezeguet, Ahmed Hassan, Mohamed Salah, Baher El Mohamady, Nabil Dunga.