Champions Egypt reach Cup of Nations quarter-finals   

Defending champions Egypt booked their place in the last eight of the Africa Cup of Nations on Saturday by defeating Mozambique 2-0 in a Group C match here.

The Pharaohs wrapped up their second win in two games courtesy of a Dario Khan own goal early in the second half and a late effort by substitute Mohamed ‘Gedo’ Nagy.

They have six points from three matches, while Nigeria moved into second place on three points after they stopped Benin 1-0.

Mozambique slipped a goal down in the 47th minute when defender Khan again put the ball through his own goal off a powerful low cross from the right by Egypt’s Ahmed Fathi.

It was the unfortunate Khan’s second own goal in as many matches in the tournament after also scoring against his own team in Tuesday’s 2-2 draw with Benin.

Egypt had to wait until the 81st minute before they could double their lead.

Nagy, a second-half replacement for Mohamed Zidan, took his chance very well when he smashed home a left-footed shot into the roof of the Mozambique goal from inside the 18-yard box.

Egypt have now compiled a 14-game unbeaten run in the Cup of Nations since the 2004 tournament in Tunisia.

“We are very proud of this record,” said Egypt skipper Ahmed Hassan. “But most importantly, we won today against a very strong Mozambique.”

Mozambique coach, Mart Nooij, said he was proud of his team’s display.

“We made it very hard for Egypt, who are the reigning African champions. We gave away a goal early in the second half and so had to chase the game, otherwise it would have been a lot more difficult for them to beat us,” said the Dutchman.

Egypt made only one change from the side which started against Nigeria on Tuesday with Hossam Ghaly giving way to Zamalek playmaker Shikabala, while Fumo started ahead of the experienced Dario Monteiro in the Mozambique line-up.

In the 11th minute, Mozambique forward Goncalves Fumo tried an ambitious shot from about 40 yards but it posed no problem for Essam El-Hadary in the Egypt goal.

In the 24th minute, Rafael pushed a goal-bound low drive by Shikabala from 20 yards away for a corner.

Three minutes later, the same player lobbed the ball over an onrushing Mozambique goalkeeper only for Samuel Chapanga to clear the danger.

The best action in the first half came in stoppage time when Egypt launched a counter-attack which released Emad Motaeb to fire at goal only for Rafael to dive full stretch and punch into safety.

After the opening goal, the champions continued to pile on the pressure.

In the 53rd minute, Sayed Moawad fired narrowly wide from inside the box, while moments later, Mozambique skipper Manuel Bucuane put the ball at the back of the Egyptian net only for the effort to be disallowed for offside.

In the 69th minute, substitute Ahmed Eid darted into the Mozambique 18-yard box only for him to blast his final effort wide off the mark.

Mozambique fought back in search of an equaliser.

Substitute Hagi blazed his shot from top of the box wide in the 74th minute, but as the clock ticked away, it was obvious that they lacked the finishing prowess to get on the score board and make a better contest of this clash.