Egypt cruise into quarters

An own-goal by Dario Khan and a spectacular volley by Mohamed Nagy 'Gedo' sealed an efficient performance by the holders, with Gedo’s late stunner - his third goal in four international matches since making his debut on the eve of the tournament - worth the 81-minute wait.

It was less convincing than the 3-1 win over Nigeria, but six-times champions Egypt have a habit of operating below optimum but still winning.

In the first half Mozambique worked hard to match for their celebrated opponents, looking dangerous on the break and initially out-playing the Pharaohs, who started sluggishly.

But, after the Egypt defence and the excellent Wael Gomaa snuffed out a series of dangerous counter-attacks led by Fumo and Tico-Tico, the champions settled into their groove and should have entered half-time ahead.

Emad Moteab had a half-chance on five minutes after racing on to a long ball from Mahmoud Fathalla, but the Al-Ahly striker was too far wide and his drive across goal was harmless.

Zamalek playmaker Shikabala was brought in for Hossam Ghaly with the brief to add creativity to Egypt’s organised midfield, and while he laboured at times he did force a smart stop from Joel Kapango with a clever turn and low drive on 25 minutes.

Roaming free while his team-mates stuck to the typical Egypt drill, Shikabala was guilty of poor decision-making when he elected to lob Kapango with Moteab unmarked to his left.

Kapango plays his club football in Egypt’s second division with Tersana and at times it was easy to see why.

Looking a touch portly and rarely coming to meet crosses, the 34-year-old spilled a routine daisy-cutter that Moteab almost pounced on for the keeper to redeem himself by blocking his finish.

He made another reflex save at the end of the half, from Moteab’s angled drive after Zidan was denied by a last-gasp challenge from Paito, and it stayed goalless into the break.

It did not take long, though, for Egypt to make their mark and it was an unlucky break for Mozambique that finally beat Kapango.

The otherwise quiet Mohamed Zidan played a delicate ball wide to Ahmed Fathi, who delivered a vicious low ball that Khan diverted past his own keeper with Moteab ready for an easy finish.

Mozambique had a golden chance to level when a lucky deflection off Fathalla sent Tico-Tico clean through but he seemed as shocked as anyone and merely passed it back to Essam Al-Hadary.

Sayed Moawad went agonisingly close when his angled low drive was deflected past the far post off Sitoe, while there was a shaky moment for Al-Hadary when he spilled but regained a Paito cross.

Lobo was rightly but marginally adjudged offside when he finished past Al-Hadary just before the hour mark, by which point Mozambique seemed to lose steam.

Fumo had already limped off and strike partner Tico-Tico followed soon afterwards.

Motaeb should have made it two but somehow failed to divert Ahmed Al-Muhammadi’s inch-perfect cross towards goal as it looked as if Egypt would do just enough and eke out a 1-0 win.

But Gedo had other ideas. On as a 68th-minute substitute for the disappointing Shikabala, the Ittihad Alexandria attacking midfielder capped off a sweeping passing move by flicking the ball up on the edge of the box and smashing a delightful volley into the top left.

The spectacular piece of improvisation and equally fine finish will go down as one of the goals of the tournament as the 2006 and 2008 champions made it two wins in two, allowing them to relax into the final group match against Benin.