PHAROAHS THRASH SUDAN 3-0 (Page 71)

Story: George Ernest Asare, Kumasi

The Nile rivalry that has existed between Sudan and Egypt over the years in terms of soccer supremacy was re-enacted at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium in Kumasi last Saturday in their second group match of the Ghana 2008 tournament, with Sudan a scare to Egypt at the initial stages of the game. In the end, however, the versatility of the Pharaohs in attack fetched them a 3-0 victory.
On the few occasions that the Egyptian attackers of Mohammed Zidan, Abdelnaby Ibrahim and Abdel Motaleb made forays into the Sudanese territory, the Sudanese defence used the offside trap to render their attack impotent, and these tactics won them massive support and a false impression that Sudan would dim the lights of Egypt to stage a comeback as one of the group contenders.
As the Egyptians gradually warmed themselves into the game with counter-attacks and midfield supremacy, it became clear that Sudan were in the game of their lives and determination alone could not hold the Egyptians back to carry the day.
In one of their swift counter-attacks in the 27th minute, Abdel Motaleb pounced on a loose ball supplied by Zaky Mansour and entered the box, but as goalkeeper El Hadi Salem Akram dived to prevent any havoc, he fouled Motaleb to attract the wrath of referee Codjia Coffi from Benin who wasted no time at all to whistle for a penalty which was easily converted by Motaleb to give Egypt a 1-0 lead in that half.
Both teams resumed the second half full of furry with the Sudanese attacking in droves with the aim of redeeming their goal deficit while the Egyptians, having beaten the Lions of Cameroun 4-2 in their first group game, also multiplied in attack with the hope of increasing their tally to entrench their top position in their group.
The two sides made a series of changes as the game wore on, but it was Egypt who benefited as substitute Mohamed Abou Traika who combined beautifully with Zaky Mansour, increased the tally to two in the 77th minute after teasing the goalkeeper out of the post and planting the ball beautifully in the net.
With defeat staring them in the face and with nothing to lose, Sudan who like Nigeria are yet to score a goal in this tournament, surged forward with the aim of scoring at least one goal in their second group game and thus earn a point, but their defence was exposed and the Egyptians took advantage of that and added another goal through Abou Traika in the 82nd minute.