The Egyptian national team delivered a dominant performance against South Sudan at Juba Stadium, winning 5-0 in their 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier. The match was part of the group stage, and Egypt's coach, Hossam Hassan, made several strategic decisions, including resting key player Mohamed Salah and making changes to the lineup due to injuries and suspensions. Egypt's squad was bolstered by the return of some key players, while others, like Mohamed Abdelmoneim, missed the game due to injuries.
Egypt's lineup for the match included Mostafa Shobeir in goal, with Mohamed Hany, Hossam Abdelmaguid, Ramy Rabia, and Ahmed Fattouh forming the defense. The midfield consisted of Mohanad Lashin, Marwan Attia, Emam Ashour, and Haissem Hassan, with Mostafa Ziko and Omar Marmoush leading the attack. South Sudan's team, led by coach, had a tough time against Egypt's solid defense and effective offense. The Egyptian team dominated possession and created several scoring opportunities throughout the game.
The match got off to a lively start, with Egypt creating early chances. In the 5th minute, Emam Ashour sent a through ball to Mostafa Ziko, but his attempt was blocked by the South Sudan keeper. Egypt's pressure paid off in the 36th minute when Ziko scored the opening goal, assisted by Hossam Abdelmaguid. The goal was a significant breakthrough for Egypt, and it set the tone for the rest of the match.
Egypt continued to press and doubled their lead in the 49th minute through a brilliant solo effort by Omar Marmoush. Marmoush went one-on-one with the South Sudan goalkeeper before calmly finding the net. The goal was a highlight of the match, showcasing Marmoush's skill and composure. Egypt's coach, Hossam Hassan, made substitutions to freshen up the team, including bringing on Ibrahim Adel and Karim Hafez.
The second half saw Egypt extend their lead further. In the 75th minute, substitute Ibrahim Adel scored Egypt's third goal, assisted by Marwan Attia. Adel's goal was a significant addition to Egypt's tally, and it reflected the team's depth and versatility. Egypt's dominance was evident, with South Sudan struggling to respond effectively.
Egypt sealed the win with two more goals in the final minutes of the game. Omar Marmoush scored his second goal in the 83rd minute, making it 4-0. The fifth goal came in the 92nd minute, scored by substitute Hamza Abdelkarim, who reacted quickly to a loose ball inside the box and fired it into the net. The convincing victory marked a significant result for Egypt in their 2027 AFCON qualifier.
The win was a much-needed boost for Egypt, who were held to a goalless draw by Angola in their previous match. Coach Hossam Hassan had faced criticism for his strategy, and the victory over South Sudan will help to ease some of the pressure. Egypt's key players, including Mohamed Salah, were rested or missed the game due to injuries, but the team still delivered a strong performance.
Key points
- Egypt won 5-0 against South Sudan in their 2027 AFCON qualifier.
- Omar Marmoush scored two goals in the match.
- Egypt's coach, Hossam Hassan, made several strategic substitutions during the game.
