WCup 2018 qualifiers: Uganda stun Egypt to go top of Group E

KAMPALA - Uganda stunned Egypt 1-0 in the 2018 Fifa World Cup Qualification (CAF), Group E match at the Mandela National Stadium in Kampala on Thursday. The victory takes Uganda to the top of Group E standings with seven points, while Egypt slip down to the second spot ahead of the return leg which will be played in Alexandria next week Tuesday. The Cranes were the better side in the first 15 minutes of the encounter as they pressed the Pharaohs and Uganda should have taken the lead. But Egypt goalkeeper Essam El-Hadary produced a finger-tipping save to deny Ugandas lively winger Emmanuel Okwi, whose cross was goal-bound in the 13th minute. The hosts had another chance to break the deadlock a minute later following a mix-up between Egypt central defender Ahmed Hegazi and his teammate El-Hadary. However, the Cranes were unable to capitalise and the Pharaohs survived a scare as the home side pushed for the opening goal in front of their vocal supporters. The pressure mounted on the Egyptian defence after the half-hour mark and Okwi forced El-Hadary into a great low save after the visitors backline was exposed. The 44-year-old shot-stopper had to be alert again in the 38th minute and he tipped Uganda forward Derrick Nsibambis looping header over the crossbar. The last chance of the first-half fell for Abdallah El-Said in the Uganda box five minutes later, but the Egypt forwards attempt was cleared away from close range. The score was 0-0 at the interval with Uganda having dominated the first-half, but El-Hadary kept Egypt in the game with some great saves. The Cranes continued to dominate in the early stages of the second-half with Uganda forward Farouk Miya forcing El-Hadary into a fine low save in the 50th minute. El-Hadary was finally beaten a minute later when Okwi cut inside, before firing past the legendary keeper to make it 1-0 to Uganda much to the delight of the home crowd. The Pharaohs then took control of the match as they attacked in numbers and they were unfortunate not to restore parity two minutes after the hour-mark. Uganda keeper Denis Onyango, the 2016 CAF Player of the Year based in Africa, made a magnificent save to deny Egypt winger Mohamed Salah from point blank range. The hosts suffered a blow as Ugandas talisman Miya sustained an injury in the 74th minute and he was replaced by Luwagga Kizito, a winger by trade. Tarek Hamed should have grabbed a late equalizer for the Pharaohs after the Cranes defence was exposed with five minutes left on the clock. However, Hameds looping effort was brilliantly saved by Uganda captain Onyango, who tipped the ball over the crossbar and the resultant corner-kick was cleared away. Egypts last chance fell for their talisman Salah, but his effort was blocked by his teammate Hegazy from close range in stoppage time and Uganda held on to win 1-0 at home. Agencies

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WCup 2018 qualifiers: Uganda stun Egypt to go top of Group E