Egypt Pharaohs charge of Group A in the 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers with a 2-1 win over Burkina Faso at the Cairo International Stadium on Thursday night.
The Pharaohs secured a third win from as many matches thanks to a quick-fire brace from Mahmoud ‘Trezeguet’ Hassan, and opened a four-point lead at the top of the log over nearest chasers Guinea-Bissau.
As for the Stallions, this first loss of the campaign leaves them in third spot – five points off the pace set by their vanquishers.
Egypt brought Mohamed Salah straight back into the starting XI after he was rested for March’s friendlies, and the Liverpool man made an immediate impact by teeing up Trezeguet to score a header in just the fourth minute of the match.
And Trezeguet soon doubled the home side’s advantage, scoring again in the eighth minute when he dribbled past a couple of challenges before firing a left-footed drive into the back of the net.
Egypt had further chances through Salah and Mostafa Mohamed which they were unable to capitalise on, while Burkina Faso’s best chance of the first 45 minutes saw Gustavo Sangare drive an effort wide, leaving the score 2-0 in favour of the North Africans at the break.
The West Africans made a triple change at the start of the second half, as Cedric Badolo, Saidou Simpore and Hassane Bande all entered the fray.
The Pharaohs allowed their control of the game to slip and the Stallions capitalised in the 57th minute when Lassina Traore struck an effort past Mohamed El Shenawy from close range to bring his team back into the contest at 2-1.
Burkina Faso threatened an equaliser on a few occasions, most notably on 82 minutes when El Shenawy had to make a great save to deny Hassane Bande from close range, but ultimately the hosts were able to hold on for a precious three points.
Egypt and Burkina Faso will be back in action on Monday 10 June, with the former away to Guinea-Bissau and the latter at ‘home’ to Sierra Leone in Bamako.
Egypt: A. Shenawy, M. Abdelmonem, E. Ashour (Tawfik 58’), M. Ateya, H. Fathi, M. Hany, M. Mohamed (I. Adel 90+2’), R. Rabia, M. Salah, Trezeguet (A. Amin 90+2’), Zizo (O. Kamal 72’)
B Faso: K. Nikiema, S. Banse, O. Bouda (H. Bande 46’), N. Djiga, Da. Ouattara, M. Ouedraogo, G. Sangare (C. Badolo 46’), E. Tapsoba, I.B (S. Simpore 46’). Toure, L. Traore (M. Konate 84’), S. Yago
