By Salma Abdullah
Egypt has made it to the final round of World Cup qualifiers after claiming a 1-0 victory over Mozambique on Sunday.
Basel’s striker Mohamed Salah who netted a hat-trick against Zimbabwe last week continued his scoring spree and scored the only goal in the match five minutes before half time. The 21-year-old Salah received a perfect pass from Egypt’s Ahmed Fathy and knocked it at the bottom corner of the net.
Shortly after the 45th minute, Mozambique nearly scored an equaliser, but Egypt’s keeper Sherif Ekramy managed to palm the shot away.
The Pharaohs missed a number of opportunities to double the score in the second half while veteran playmaker Mohamed Abu-Trika blew the team’s easiest chance in 82 minutes.
Egypt is the only African team to reach the play-offs of the World Cup qualifiers with full marks; 15 points from 5 matches, with a remaining game to spare against Guinea in September.
Ethiopia, Tunisia, Ivory Coast and Algeria also secured their place in the final qualifying round with other five teams to be decided when the qualifiers resume in September.
Egypt, which is trying to qualify for the World Cup for the first time since 1990, will learn who they will face when the Confederation of African Football conducts the draw for the playoff round 16 September.
