Egypt joined Comoros in qualifying to next year’s Total Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Cameroon from Group G after a 1-1 draw in Nairobi against Kenya.

Mohamed Magdy Afsha scored the opener for the Egyptians in the second minute before Abdallah Hassan scored the equalizer in the second half.

The result sees Egypt go to nine points, same as Comoros who drew with Togo earlier on. Kenya remain third with four points and will duel with Togo in a dead rubber bottom of the table clash in Lome on Monday for bragging rights.

Knowing that a win or a draw would see them pick a ticket to Cameroon, the Egyptians wantd to start as quickly as possible off the blocks and they were rewarded just two minutes into the game when Afsha broke the deadlock.

The Al Ahly man struck a brilliant shot into the roof of the net after Ahmed Mostafa dummied a cross from Mohammed Salah on the right.

But despite going down early, the Kenyan side gave in a good account of themselves and got several scoring chances, settling into the game well.

Mohamed Elshenawy was kept busy in the Egyptian goal as the Kenyans constantly tried to find a way back into the game. Skipper Michael Olunga had a chance in the seventh minute but his low shot off an Abdallah Hassan cutback went straight to the keeper.

The Kenyans had another opportunity in the 17th minute when Daniel Sakari’s long throw landed on Johnstone Omurwa, but the latter’s flicked header was well collected by Elshenawy. Seven minutes later, the Ahly keeper was called to work again, this time Teddy Akumu’s shot from outside the area off Hassan’s cutback stinging the goalie’s gloves.

Five minutes to the break, the hosts thought they had their way back into the game when Masud Juma scored off Akumu’s clipped pass but the first assistant referee’s flag was up for offside.

The home side kept the same tempo in the second half and two minutes in, Elshenawy was made to work when Masud struck a good shot from the edge of the area after a swift turn. Olunga picked up the rebound but sent his rasping shot into the side netting.

On the other end, Egypt almost made it 2-0 when Stars lost possession cheaply with the ball fed to Mahmoud Trezeguet but Ian Otieno was quick off his line to block.

Stars kept their gas on the gas and came close on the hour mark when a brilliant cross from the left, but Hassan’s connecting header at the backpost went over. They however went level five minutes later when Hassan struck the equalizer off a goalmouth melee from a corner.

Kenya’s hunt to get an equalizer was dealt a blow in the 76th minute when defender Omurwa was sent off for an off the ball incident with Mohamed Mostafa.

With a one man advantage, Egypt pushed more bodies upfront to try and stop Kenya’s forays of attack and it worked as they held on for the win.

Soka25east.com