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Egypt draws 1-1 with Zambia in World Cup qualifying match
 Members of Egypt's national football team pose for photographers before their 2010 World Cup qualifying match against Zambia at Cairo stadium March 29. (Reuters/Amr Abdallah Dalsh) |
CAIRO – The Egyptian national team, holders of the African Cup, entered their World Cup qualifying match with Zambia with high hopes, but managed only a 1 -1 draw in the match played March 29 at Cairo International Stadium.
Just a week earlier, Zambian team manager Herf Renard said defeating the Egyptian team would be a tough challenge.
Egypt and their supporters began the match in an optimistic mood. Egyptian fans are known for their passion and Egyptian striker Amr Zaki’s early goal in the 26th minute energized the crowd estimated to be 120,000. Their enthusiasm was dampened in the 56th minute, however, when Zambia’s David Banda got by Egyptian goalkeeper Essam Al-Hadary to even the score. Commentators said that despite Egypt’s early goal, the Pharaohs failed to apply enough offensive pressure on Zambia in the final half hour.
Interestingly, the two teams also drew 1 - 1 in their African Cup match in Ghana in 2008. Each qualifying game this year is vital to both teams’ chances of qualifying for the 2010 World Cup. Egyptian fans are keen to see their team play for the World Cup in South Africa next year. The last time Egypt qualified for the World Cup was in 1990, but it has earned fan loyalty by winning the last two African Cups.
Though it is considered one of the strongest teams on the continent, Zambia’s performance has been inconsistent recently. Drawing with Egypt on its home pitch though, will provide a positive boost to its reputation as a strong contender.
This draw puts an end to the Pharaohs’ record seven consecutive wins in World Cup preliminary matches. Egypt hopes to advance out of a qualifying group that also includes Zambia, Algeria and Rwanda. Algeria and Rwanda also drew on March 20, which makes Group “G” one of the hardest fought in this round of World Cup qualifiers.
To qualify, Egypt needs a victory in its next match against Algeria several weeks from now.
[Goal.com, Africa.com]
Reader Comments
I am an Al-Ahly fan to the core. I love Al-Ahly, no matter what happens. I stand with it to the end. God willing, our team will win, God willing.
In my opinion, Egypt plays very well, but this goal was the result of the goalkeeper's and defenders' lack of concentration. Look who Egypt has playing for it, though. It's a shame about the goal. God willing, the team will give us a beautiful and enjoyable match against Algeria, and God willing, it will win.
The Egyptian team's game is not against Zambia, and trainer Hassan Shehata's words were not about the team.
I love Al-Zamalik Club.
I am an Egyptian, and I like my country's team a lot. What happened in the match with Zambia, though, is a wake-up call for the Egyptian national team for its coming matches. God willing, the weakness we have all seen and witnessed will not show again.
In the name of God, the most Compassionate, the most Merciful,
Egypt does not play well.
We like the Al-Ahly team and we hope that its wishes will be achieved and we like soccer and we hope from God a big victory in the World Cup finals 2010.
In my opinion, in the game between Egypt and Zambia, the Egyptian team did not display its usual performance that it showed us in the African championship and, God willing, when they play Algeria, they will play beautifully and win.
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