Africa-Press – Malawi. Africa Cup of Nations Group D leaders, Pharaohs of Egypt Tuesday consolidated their top spot in the group after silencing Malawi’s Flames with 4-0 beating at Bingu National Stadium in Area 48, Lilongwe.
The Egyptians had had poor record playing in Malawi where they never registered a win but that recorded has been scrapped off with a sounding victory. The Pharaohs were in for total football business as they went into to top gear to score three goals in as space of 20 minutes.
Poor goal keeping by Flames custodian, Charles Thom made the Egyptians led by Liverpool star man, Mohamed Salah to play a more comfort game away from home despite having partisan crowd.
Flames Coach, Mario Marinica left the hot bench with 10 minutes to full time after being tipped that fans were very angry with the teams’ dismal display and his assistant, Patrick Mabedi took charge of the last minutes of the game.
Malawi suffered a an injury blow just two minute into the game when right winger, Peter Banda was stretched off after dislocating his shoulder and was replaced by Chimwemwe Idana. Egypt went into the lead in the fourth minute through Tarek Hamed when he volleyed the ball past Thom after being put through by Salah.
The Pharaohs were on the score sheet in the 16th minute when Omar Marmoush tapped in Mostafa Abdallah’s low drive which eluded Flames central defenders, Lawrence Chaziya and Dennis Chembezi.
Four minutes later, Salah made it 3-0 and scoring his 51st goal for his country when he sent a hard and low shot which went past Flames keeper, Thom. The two teams went into recess with the visitors leading 3-0 but fans were very angry chanting some anti-Walter songs.
The beginning of the second saw the Egyptians rested their keeper, Mohamed El Elshenawy for Mohamed Sobhi. On the 49th minute Ahmed Sayed made it 4-0 after a long cross from the right flank by Mohamed Hany and crafty beat out of form keeper, Thom.
Substitute Idana had his long range effort parried by Sohbi in the 65th minute, which could have reduced the arrears but it not the day. Despite poor display, Flames left back, Alick Lungu showed his ability to use the left flank in attack although the Egyptian defence marched by towering Ahmed Hegazy assisted by Mahmoud Kahr who kept Gabadihno Mhango and Stain Davie on bay.
Both teams made some substitutions but never produced goals for the days. “This is too much, being beaten at home 4-0 to Egypt as if there was no support. May be they could have beaten us 4-0 in Egypt and they win 2-0 here,’ Flames diehard, John Mussa viewed.
He said Malawi’s chances to made it are now gone and the six point gap Egypt and Guinea have cleared would be difficult to narrow. With the win Egypt are top with 9 points and Guinea are second with the same number of points but with less goal aggregate.
Ethiopia are third with 3 points and Malawi are anchoring the group with same with 3 points and the battle for the top spot is now between Egypt and Guinea.
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