Stern Shehata one win away from African record

January 29, 2010

Stern, silver-haired Egyptian Hassan Shehata is one victory away from becoming the first coach to win three consecutive Africa Cup of Nations tournaments.

His ‘Pharaohs’ face the ‘Black Stars’ of Ghana at the 50,000-seat November 11 Stadium Sunday in an unexpected climax to the 2010 Cup between countries hard hit by pre-competition injuries.

Media-shy Shehata, who usually leaves the talking to long-time assistant Shawky Gharib, says his squad will claim a record seventh African title provided luck wears a red shirt.

“We just need luck. We could have beaten Cameroon by a wider margin but were unlucky,” he said, recalling a 3-1 quarter-final victory over the ‘Indomitable Lions’ after extra time.

What the man who watches most games leaning against the side of the dugout forgot to mention was luck was very much on the side of Egypt in that showdown against one of the five African qualifiers for the 2010 World Cup.

When a free kick from captain Ahmed Hassan struck the crossbar and came down it did not cross the goalline, but an assistant referee ruled it had and Egypt were two goals ahead and en route to the penultimate phase.

Shehata says teamwork and a lack of reliance on the many stars he can call up have been the recipes for success with his team unbeaten in 18 Nations Cup games spanning four tournaments.

“The top teams in Africa fear us because of our amazing teamwork. Much is made of those who miss tournaments because of injury, but we do not rely on individuals,” he stressed.

Egypt were hard hit before departing Cairo for Angola with superstar Mohamed Aboutraika, fellow midfielders Mohamed Barakat and Mohamed Shawky and striker Amr Zaki ruled out by injury.

When the former national team striker replaced Italian Marco Tardelli six years ago in one of the ‘hottest’ African national team posts, few expected him to survive long.

Even when Egypt lifted the 2006 Nations Cup after a penalty shootout victory over Ivory Coast, there was no shortage of sceptics who claimed the feat was achieved largely because of home advantage and suspect refereeing.

But Shehata was a national hero in a country where football is an obsession and he stayed in charge for the title defence in Ghana, where Ivory Coast were hot favourites to succeed.

Written off as a tired, over-the-hill squad, Egypt launched their defence with a 4-2 thumping of Cameroon, crushed Ivory Coast 4-1 in the semi-finals and defeated Cameroon again in a tense final settled by a late Aboutraika goal.

Before Angola the media were once more critical of the defending champions, saying they were probably a spent force, full of ageing players in the twilight of their careers, and unable to conjour up the heroics of two years ago.

Try telling that to Nigeria, Mozambique, Benin, Cameroon or Algeria, the teams who had the misfortune to face the rampant Egyptians en route to the final.

LUANDA (AFP)

Tags: Africa, africa cup of nations, ahmed hassan, algeria, Angola, assistant referee, Benin, black stars of ghana, Cairo, cameroon, captain Ahmed Hassan, crossbar, cup games, Egypt, final victory, ghana, goalline, hassan shehata, indomitable lions, Ivory Coast, Luanda, Marco Tardelli, mohamed barakat, mohamed shawky, Mozambique, nations cup, nigeria, penalty shootout, sceptics, shootout victory, time assistant, Zaki

Goalkeeper Enyeama takes 10-man Nigeria into semis

January 26, 2010

Nigeria goalkeeper Victor Enyeama turned Africa Cup of Nations matchwinner by converting the decisive kick in a 5-4 penalty shootout win over Zambia on Monday after a goalless quarter-final.

John Obi Mikel, Obafemi Martins, Obinna Nsofor and Osaze Odemwingie also scored from the spot to give the ‘Super Eagles’ a 100 percent success rate from five kicks.

Thomas Nyirenda was the unconsolable Zambian at the end after Enyeama saved his kick – the seventh of the shootout – and Nigeria scraped through despite having Onyekachi Apam sent off during extra time.

The ultra-negative last quarter-final of the biennial African football showcase was a massive disappointment after victories for Ghana, Algeria and Egypt in thrillers.

Defending champions Egypt made the penultimate stage a few hours before Nigeria thanks to a 3-1 extra-time triumph over Cameroon with 170-cap midfielder Ahmed Hassan scoring twice for his side and once for his opponents.

Back in the knockout phase of the competition for the first time since 1996, Zambia had to make two enforced changes from the side that defeated Gabon to reach the quarter-finals as shock Group D table-toppers.

Defender Chintu Kampamba and midfielder Rainford Kalaba collected two yellow cards each in the mini-league stage and young French coach Herve Renard drafted in Hichani Himonde and William Njobvu.

Nigeria retained the starting line-up from their final pool match against Mozambique that delivered an ultimately convincing 3-0 win and justification that they could go far in the tournament after a sluggish start.

Jubilant that his pre-tournament promise of a quarter-finals place had been met, Renard saw the game as a chance to embellish his reputation amid reports that he desires a more attractive African coaching post.

Rival coach Shaibu Amodu is 10 years older at 51 and under constant stress from public and media criticism despite just one competitive loss since taking charge of the national team a third time a couple of years ago.

The countries had come face to face four previous times in the Nations Cup with Nigeria winning two and Zambia one after a goalless first meeting in Ghana 32 years ago.

And after a goalless first half in this central Angolan town it was hard to fathom who would prevail this time and book a semi-finals date with the Black Stars of Ghana in Luanda on Thursday afternoon.

Chelsea midfielder Mikel ended a lot of cagey early combat with a sweetly struck drive after some slick passing, but Kennedy Mweene dived swiftly to his left and pushed the ball away with a strong one-hand save.

Zambia became more adventurous as time passed and after Enyeama rose to grasp a deep, dangerous cross, striker James Chamanga just failed to connect with a threatening ball across the six-yard box.

It was not a half for the faint hearted with some borderline tackling and by the break Zambians Felix Katongo, Himonde and Joseph Musonda had been shown yellow cards by the Egyptian referee.

The second half began as the first ended with more than fouls than thrills for a less-than-capacity crowd in the 20,000-seat venue and Apam joined the yellow-card offenders via a rash tackle on Chamanga.

Midway through the half and finally the crowd had something to cheer as Yusuf Mohammed cleared off the line to rescue Nigeria and hesitant captain Yakubu Aiyegbeni squandered a close-range opportunity at the other end.

It was painful watching the closing stages of regulation time as two teams far more concerned with not losing than winning rarely mounted threatening attacks and full-time came without a goal.

LUBANGO, Angola (AFP)

Tags: africa cup of nations, african football, ahmed hassan, algeria, Angola, apam, cameroon, central Angolan, Egypt, extra time, Felix Katongo, french coach, ghana, herve renard, James Chamanga, John Obi, Joseph Musonda, league stage, Luanda, media criticism, nigeria, obafemi martins, obinna, penalty shootout, quarter finals, rainford kalaba, Renard, rival coach, starting line, success, table toppers, Thomas Nyirenda, William Njobvu, yellow cards, Zambia

Quick Report: Egypt 3-1 Cameroon

January 26, 2010

Defending champions Egypt progressed to the Africa Cup of Nations semi-finals by beating Cameroon 3-1, after extra-time.

Egyptian captain Ahmed Hassan scored on both sides of the pitch as normal time saw only two goals from the same player.

An Achille Emana corner saw the Egyptian veteran Hassan head the ball into his own net.

But the skipper redeemed himself by scoring from a long range effort, deceiving the Cameroon goalkeeper Carlos Kameni.

However, at the end of normal time Egypt came on top in the first half of extra time as Hassan struck the winner with a disputed free-kick, after Mohamed Gedo punished Geremi for a sloppy back-pass.

Tags: achille emana, Africa, africa cup of nations, ahmed hassan, cameroon, carlos kameni, Cup, Egypt, egypt 3, emana, extra time, free kick, geremi, mohamed, pitch, semi finals, skipper, time egypt

Egypt cruises to record with victory over plucky Benin

January 21, 2010

Six-time champions Egypt defeated Benin 2-0 Wednesday here at the Ombaka Stadium on Wednesday to extend their unbeaten run in the Africa Cup of Nations to 15 games and qualify for the last eight of this year’s competition.

The victory also meant that the Pharaohs finished top of Group C with the maximum nine points and will face the second-placed team in Group D in one of the quarter-finals on Monday.

Egypt are also on course for an unprecedented seventh Nations Cup title, while skipper Ahmed Hassan won his 169th cap against Benin to tie the Egyptian record for most international appearances.

Egypt, who rested key stars like Ahmed Fathi and Wael Gomaa, took the lead after only seven minutes through an audacious effort by Ahmed Al-Mohammadi.

The highly-rated ENPPI defender swung a shot from about 40 metres to catch Benin goalkeeper Yoann Djidonou off his line and sail into the top right corner of the net.

The defending champions doubled their advantage in the 23rd minute when the referee adjudged that Emad Motaeb bundled the ball over the goalline a rebound after Ahmed Raouf’s header from 12 yards out crashed against the post with the Benin goalkeeper beaten.

Egypt continued to cruise and would have increased their lead in the 27th minute but Raouf’s diving header from inside the 18-yard box flew straight at goalkeeper Djidonou for him to make an easy save.

Benin, who kicked off this game a man short after striker Razak Omotoyossi was ordered to be more properly dressed, also had a few chances in front of goal in the first half.

Sleek passing by the Pharaohs appeared to cause all sorts of trouble for the Squirrels from Benin with Hassan at the heart of the Egyptian attacks.

On resumption, Benin fought for an equaliser but it was Egypt who could have scored again in the 55th minute when Hassan’s long through ball set up Raouf, who darted into the box only for Djidonou to get his foot to the ball.

Motaeb was a constant danger against Benin and moments later, he again came close when Al-Mohammadi swung another cross into the Benin area, but his marker shut him out.

In the 65th minute substitute Mohammed Aoudou tested the reflexes of the durable Essam El-Hadary in goal for Egypt when he rose above the defence to power a free kick from the right flank towards goal only for the Ismailia goalkeeper to tip the ball for a corner.

Omotoyossi would have reduced the deficit in the 70th minute but he flashed his angled shot from inside the box wide as El-Hadary dived to avert danger.

Egyptian substitute Mohamed Zidan was denied a goal in the 78th minute by the Benin goalkeeper, who scrambled his low shot for a corner.

And five minutes later, Djidonou again rose to the occasion to deny Hosny Abdrabou, Motaeb, Hassan and then Mohamed Nagy as Egypt went in search of more goals.

BENGUELA, Angola (AFP)

Tags: Africa, africa cup of nations, Ahmed Al-Mohammadi, Ahmed Fathi, ahmed hassan, Ahmed Raouf, Angola, Benin, constant danger, Egypt, equaliser, Goalkeeper, goalline, hassan, international appearances, Mohammed Aoudou, nations cup, Ombaka Stadium, pharaohs, quarter finals, raouf, rebound, referee, resumption, skipper, squirrels, time champions, wael gomaa

Benin out to shock mighty Egyptians

January 20, 2010

The Africa Cup of Nations Group C game between Egypt and Benin here on Wednesday will match the continent’s heavyweights up against the underdogs, who are fired-up to get their first-ever win in the competition.

The Squirrels are third in Group C with a point from two matches, but still have a chance of progressing to the next round if they shock the African champions and second-placed Nigeria lose to Mozambique.

“We have not given up yet because we still have a match to play and if we get the results we wish for, we could still remain in the tournament. We will fight till the end,” said Benin coach Michel Dessuyer.

Benin have already pulled off a shock result in the qualifiers when they pipped the Black Stars of Ghana 1-0 at home in September courtesy of a late winner by youngster Mohammed Aoudou.

Six-time champions Egypt, on the other hand, will be hoping to extend a new record of going unbeaten in 15 matches in the championship since the 2004 tournament, where they last lost 2-1 to bitter regional rivals Algeria.

The previous record of 14 games without defeat was held by Cameroon, who achieved this record between 1984 and 1988.

The Pharaohs are top of Group C after they recorded maximum points from their first two matches against Nigeria and Mozambique.

They thus became the second team after the Ivory Coast to reach the last eight in Angola and as a result coach Hassan Shehata will give several fringe players a run out against the Squirrels on Wednesday.

Shehata has disclosed that first-choice goalkeeper Essam El-Hadary will, along with several other key players like Al Ahly central defender Wael Gomaa, be rested and so afford him an opportunity to assess the likes of ENPPI midfielder Abdelaziz Tawfik and Moatasem Salem from Ismaila.

The Egypt coach has bemoaned the lack of quality goalkeepers in the country, even suggesting that foreign goalkeepers be banned from the domestic championship so that young home-grown goalkeepers get a better chance to come through.

Skipper Ahmed Hassan, 34, will also be in action for his 169th cap to equal the all-time Egyptian record of 169 caps set by striker Hossam Hassan.

Two strikes in as many matches as a second-half substitute have thrown the spotlight on Al-Ittihad midfielder Mohamed ‘Gedo’ Nagy here in Benguela.

He is now likely to start against a Benin team, who will be missing their biggest star, Stephane Sessegnon of Paris Saint-Germain through suspension.

Dessuyer, will most probably play either the dimunitive Arnaud Seka or Pascal Angan in place of Sessegnon.

Seka is the shortest player at Angola 2010, standing at only about 1.5 metres.

He was the crowd favourite when he came on as a late substitute against Nigeria, while Angan is a 23-year-old attacking midfielder who plays his club football in Morocco.

Last year, both teams clashed in a friendly in Cairo with Egypt running away 4-1 winners. Benin’s goal was scored by their Nigerian-born striker Razak Omotoyossi.

The team’s leading scorer in the qualifiers with eight goals from 11 matches, Omotoyossi was again on target in the opening group game at the Ombaka Stadium against Mozambique as the Squirrels failed to defend a two-goal lead to draw 2-2.

Top officials were disappointed even though this was the west Africans’ first point ever at the Nations Cup so much so that they ordered four coaches from the country’s Under-20 and Under-17 team down to Angola to assist Frenchman Dessuyer for the match they lost 1-0 to Nigeria.

Experienced goalkeeper Rachad Chitou was forced out of the match against Nigeria through injury but he is expected to be fit in time for this match after he resumed training on Monday evening in Catumbila.

BENGUELA, Angola (AFP)

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Egypt 3-1 Nigeria: Defending champions’ come back seals win

January 13, 2010

Six time Africa Cup of Nations’ winners and defending champions, Egypt, kicked off their campaign with a enthralling 3-1 win over Nigeria in the opening Group C game.

Emad Meteab, Ahmed Hassan and Mohammed Naguy all scored for Egypt, who made a comeback from a goal down against a determined Nigeria side, and will be aiming for a record seventh title bid.

Nigeria, looking to win its third title, opened the scoring in the 12th minute thanks to a great strike by Hoffenheim striker Chinedu Obasi.

Obasi’s thunderbolt effort in the 12th minute that Egypt goalkeeper El Hadary could not keep out.

But the Pharaohs got themselves back into the game when they equalized in the 34th after Meteab collected a through ball from Hassan and rounded goalkeeper Vincent Enyeama just outside the box before shooting into an empty goal.

Hassan then put the champions ahead with a 20-meter shot that took a big deflection to wrongfoot Enyeama. Substitute Naguy sealed the win with a low shot in the 87th.

Tags: Africa, africa cup of nations, ahmed hassan, deflection, Egypt, egypt 3, game, Goalkeeper, mohammed, Mohammed Naguy, nigeria, obasi, pharaohs, striker, thunderbolt, time africa, Vincent, vincent enyeama

Champions Egypt, Nigeria in top spot battle

January 12, 2010

Defending champions Egypt and Nigeria clash in the Africa Cup of Nations Group C curtain raiser under the scorching afternoon sun at the brand-new Ombaka Stadium here on Tuesday.

Both teams are expected to progress to the knockout of stage of the continental showpiece at the expense of Mozambique and Benin in the sleepy town of Benguela, about 600 kilometres (370 miles) from the capital Luanda known for its bananas and great beaches.

The Super Eagles of Nigeria are using Angola 2010 as a dress rehearsal for the World Cup, while six-times African champions Egypt again failed to qualify for the global finals after they were upset by fierce regional rivals Algeria in a play-off.

Egypt have not beaten Nigeria since 1977 and the last time both sides clashed at this competition was 16 years ago, when they drew 0-0 in a group match as Nigeria went on to win their second Nations Cup title in Tunisia.

“Egypt are in a decline now and we have one of the best teams for a Nations Cup in a long time,” boasted Nigeria assistant coach, Daniel Amokachi, who played in that game in Tunis in 1994.

However, Amokachi’s teammate in that same game, Austin ‘Jay Jay’ Okocha, has warned the Pharaohs have to be taken seriously.

“They are double champions for a reason and a skillful midfield could carry them to a hat-trick,” warned Okocha.

Egypt are clear that this clash will go a long way in determining how well they will fare in their title defence in Angola.

“Our match against Nigeria will show how we will perform in the following matches, just like the 2008 tournament,” said Egypt skipper Ahmed Hassan.

At Ghana 2008, Egypt got off to a flying start with an impressive 4-2 opening group win over Cameroon in Kumasi and they then went all the way to clinch a record sixth Nations Cup crown at the expense of the same team three weeks later in Accra.

“Nigeria are a strong team, but we are now familiar with all African teams. I told the players they should do their best to realise their own dreams.

“Personally, I want to win a fourth African title with the national team,” said Hassan.

Despite a dramatic qualification for their fourth World Cup in November, there remains a growing dissatisfaction by the public with both the Nigeria coach, Shuaibu Amodu, and the performance of the Eagles.

Amodu may have now qualified Nigeria for the World Cup a second time, but his tactics and team selection continue to be questioned as pressure mounts for him to be replaeced with a foreign coach for the World Cup in June.

He may well be sacked if they do not reach at least the semi-finals in Angola.

The Eagles barely managed to beat South African first division side Thanda Royal Zulu courtesy of a penalty goal before they were held to a goalless draw by Zambia in the build-up.

Locomotiv Moscow striker Osaze Odemwingie is likely to miss out after suffering from an infection, meaning Everton striker Yakubu Aiyegbeni will either be partnered upfront by Obafemi Martins or Obinna Nsofor, who scored four goals as Nigeria booked their flight to South Africa 2010.

At 33, Skipper Nwankwo Kanu is also pressing for a place on the starting line-up after an eye-catching display against Zambia in Durban last week.

This would be his last Nations Cup and it would therefore be a most fitting farewell gift should he finally break his goal scoring duck at this tournament in Angola.

Egypt are missing striker Amr Zaki, Mohamed Barakat and Mohamed Aboutrika, who have been sidelined by injury.

Al Ahly defence strongman Wael Gomaa made the final squad to Angola, but he is a major injury doubt too.

Borussia Dortmund striker Mohamed Zidan, who made his Nations Cup debut two years ago, will also be leading a relatively inexperienced attack.

BENGUELA, Angola (AFP)

Tags: africa cup of nations, african champions, ahmed hassan, assistant coach, austin jay jay okocha, benguela, curtain raiser, daniel amokachi, double champions, dress rehearsal, ghana 2008, global finals, kumasi, nations cup, nations group, same game, sleepy town, title defence

Hassan keeps Egypt´s World Cup hopes

September 5, 2009

Ahmed Hassan kept African champions Egypt in the hunt for a 2010 World Cup place by scoring the goal that defeated Rwanda 1-0 in Kigali Saturday.

The 34-year-old midfielder from Cairo giants Al-Ahly hammered an Ahmed Fathi pass into the net on 68 minutes before a near-capacity crowd at the 35,000-seat Amahoro Stadium in the Rwandan capital.

Victory lifted the ‘Pharaohs’ to seven points from four Group C qualifiers, level with fierce rivals Algeria, who host Zambia Sunday and are expected to triumph in Blida.

It was a must-win game for Egypt, who have lifted the African Nations Cup a record six times but qualified for the World Cup only twice with their last appearance 19 years ago in Italy.

The North Africans came close to scoring a few times in the opening half and then withstood an early second-half Rwandan attacking flurry before Hassan gave Egypt a double over Rwanda having won 3-0 in Cairo two months ago.

Goalkeeper Jean-Claude Ndori deprived Egypt of a second goal in stoppage time with a brave advance to block a Sayed Moawad shot at the expense of a corner.

Substitute Chiukepo Msowoya scored twice after coming on at half-time as Malawi came from behind to defeat Guinea 2-1 in a Group E game between World Cup also-rans.

Oumar Kalabane put the West Africans ahead seven minutes before half-time at the Kamuzu Stadium in Blantyre, Msowoya levelled a minute after half-time and snatched the 58th-minute winner.

Ivory Coast (nine points) and Burkina Faso (six), who clash later Saturday in Abidjan, have dominated the section while Guinea and Malawi have three each as they contest third place.

The five group winners join hosts South Africa at the first World Cup to be staged in Africa while the top three finishers in each mini-league go to the 2010 Nations Cup in Angola.

JOHANNESBURG (AFP)

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Egypt revive World Cup hopes by defeating Rwanda

July 6, 2009

JOHANNESBURG (AFP) – Egypt revived hopes of appearing at the World Cup for the first time in 20 years with a 3-0 triumph over Rwanda in Cairo Sunday.

It was a must-win game for the ‘Pharaohs’ and midfielders Mohamed Aboutrika (twice) and Hosny Abd Rabou scored in the second half for a team that troubled Brazil and beat world champions Italy last month at the Confederations Cup.

Victory lifted reigning African champions Egypt from last place on the Group C table to second, level on four points with Zambia and three adrift of Algeria at the halfway stage of the final qualifying phase.

Rwanda have only one point in the race to finish first and qualify for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, the first time the world football showpiece will be staged in Africa.

The matches double as eliminators for the 2010 African Nations Cup in Angola with the top three teams on the final standings securing places at a championship staged every two years.

Although Egypt have lifted the Nations Cup trophy a record six times, the ‘Pharaohs’ have managed just two World Cup appearances and the last was at the 1990 finals in Italy where they went out after the first round.

A home draw with Zambia and away loss to Algeria placed unexpected pressure on an Egyptian team lacking skipper Ahmed Hassan, fellow midfielder Ahmed Fathi and striker Amr Zaki through injury and suspension.

Hassan rallied his team-mates ahead of the crucial game by insisting all was not lost in the chase to overtake resurgent Algeria and they were quickly into their stride without being able to sting the ‘Wasps’ defence.

Defender Wael Gomaa, Abd Rabou and Germany-based striker Mohamed Zidan squandered chances to break the deadlock before the central Africans settled, using the offside trap effectively.

Rwanda, whose only previous clash with Egypt ended in a 5-1 loss five years ago, created a clear cut chance only for a Harouna Niyonzima chip to finish just off target with veteran goalkeeper Essam al-Hadary beaten.

Unmarked Zidan allowed another chance to slip before Rwandan goalkeeper Jean-Claude Ndori was finally beaten 20 minutes into the second half when Aboutrika headed an Abd Rabou cross into the net.

Abd Rabou got the second by sending Ndori the wrong way from a 76th-minute penalty awarded for a foul on substitute striker Ahmed Raouf and Aboutrika tapped home the third three minutes into stoppage time.

Egypt visit Rwanda and Zambia in September and October before completing their mini-league schedule at home to twice World Cup qualifiers Algeria during November.

Tags: Africa, africa the first time, african champions, african nations cup, Ahmed Fathi, ahmed hassan, Ahmed Raouf, algeria, amr zaki, Angola, brazil, Cairo, central africans, cup trophy, cup victory, Egypt, egyptian team, eliminators, essam, Germany, gomaa, Italy, Jean-Claude Ndori, johannesburg, midfielders, mohamed zidan, offside trap, pharaohs, Rabou, Rwanda, showpiece, South Africa, target, team mates, unexpected pressure, World Cup, Zaki, Zambia

Captain Hassan insists Egypt can qualify for World Cup

July 4, 2009

JOHANNESBURG (AFP) – Captain Ahmed Hassan insists struggling Egypt can reach the 2010 World Cup in South Africa ahead of a crucial qualifier against Rwanda in Cairo Sunday.

Winners of the last two African Nations Cup tournaments, the North Africans lie bottom of Group C with just one point after a home draw against Zambia and away loss to Algeria.

Arch-rivals Algeria top the final qualifying round table with seven points followed by Zambia with four and while Rwanda have only one, they boast a superior goal difference to the Egyptians.

Only victory at Cairo Stadium will keep the ‘Pharaohs’ in contention for first place and a World Cup ticket and midfielder Hassan from Cairo club Al-Ahly believes a weary, unpredictable national team can secure three points.

“Even if we have 50 percent hope we must hold on to it. We still have four games left and if we win them all we will be at the World Cup,” Hassan told local reporters.

“We suffered a heavy defeat in Algeria last month and the players know they did not play well. No individual is to blame for that loss. We were all responsible.”

After a 3-1 reverse in Algeria, Egypt showed what they are capable of at the Confederations Cup in South Africa last month by losing to eventual winners Brazil in stoppage time and defeating world champions Italy.

But with a semi-finals place at the 2010 World Cup dress rehearsal beckoning, the ‘Pharaohs’ imploded in a 3-0 loss to the United States, who went on to finish runners-up behind the Brazilians.

Officials played the humiliating Rustenburg defeat on tiredness, injuries and false South African media reports that some players had been robbed by prostitutes at a Johannesburg hotel after stunning Italy.

After being held goalless at home by Algeria and suffering a solitary-goal loss in Zambia, a Rwandan team coached by Croat Branko Tucak has also arrived at the last chance saloon.

Tucak boasted before the qualifiers began last March that the tiny central African nation could top the table and reach the World Cup finals for the first time.

Those expectations have been downgraded to a top-three finish and a place at the African Nations Cup in Angola six months before the first World Cup to be staged in Africa kicks off.

The winners of the five qualifying groups advance to the World Cup where they will be joined by hosts South Africa while the top three in each pool compete for the Nations Cup beside Angola.