JOHANNESBURG: Egypt midfielder Mohamed Abou Trika celebrated his 100th cap by scoring one goal and creating three in a 4-2 World Cup qualifying win over 10-man Guinea yesterday.
The result of the Group H dead rubber maintained the 100 percent record of the ‘Pharaohs’ as they chase a first World Cup appearance since the 1990 finals in Italy.
Abou Trika is the ninth Egyptian footballer to reach the 100-cap milestone and retired compatriot Ahmed Hassan holds the world record with 184 national team appearances.
Egypt finished with 18 points, Guinea 10, Mozambique three and Zimbabwe two in a mini-league dominated from start to finish by the seven-time African champions.
Fears of crowd trouble in politically turbulent and security sensitive Egypt meant the game was staged in El-Gouna -- far from popular football venues Cairo and Alexandria.
It was the first time the Pharaohs have played at the Red Sea watersports resort, 450 kilometres north-east of capital city Cairo. The rudimentary 12,000-seat stadium has also been used recently for African club fixtures by Cairo powerhouses Al-Ahly and Zamalek.
Egypt made a disastrous start, falling behind after only four minutes when Adam El Abd from English second-tier outfit Brighton conceded an own goal.
AFP
