Egypt saviour Moteab seeks another W Cup fairytale

Emad Moteab wants to complete a fairytale return to international football Wednesday by leading Egypt to the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.

The predator from Cairo club Al-Ahly scored five minutes into stoppage time last Saturday and clinched a 2-0 victory over Algeria that forced a play-off in the normally sweltering Sudanese city of Omdurman.

He donned the red shirt of the ‘Pharaohs’ for the first time since March a week earlier and scored twice in a friendly rout of Tanzania to signal he had lost none of his penalty-area prowess.

Coach Hassan Shehata introduced him as a second-half substitute for Amr Zaki against the ‘Desert Foxes’ and his looping header left the bitter North African rivals level in Group C on points and goal difference.

“Egyptians were depressed as the match went into stoppage time, but not me. This was the most precious goal of my career and I’m sure we can defeat Algeria again and realise our World Cup dream,” Moteab told reporters.

The battle to join South Africa, Cameroon, Ghana, Ivory Coast and Nigeria at the first World Cup to be staged in Africa has been overshadowed by off-field violence with dozens injured amid a flurry of accusations.

Several Algerian footballers were hurt after the team bus was stoned en route from Cairo airport to a hotel and a similar fate befell some visiting supporters following the game.

Reprisals included attacks on Egyptians and their property in Algeria and clashes between natives of both countries in the French cities of Grenoble, Lyon and Marseille.

Egypt, who have won three and drawn two of six previous World Cup clashes against Algeria, believe the momentum triggered by the Cairo triumph can carry them to glory at the Al-Merreikh Stadium.

“I’m sure we will qualify for the World Cup now,” boasted Ahmed Eid, another second-half substitute who made a telling contribution by delivering the cross that led to Moteab scoring.

Veteran defender Abdulzaher al-Saqqa, recalled at 35 in place of the suspended Wael Gomaa, added: “We are on the right track and there is one last game we have to win.”

While Algerian officials, coaches and footballers remain furious at their treatment in the Egyptian capital, midfielder Karim Ziani believes that beyond the grey clouds lies a silver lining.

“We lost the game, but not our chance of qualifying for South Africa. Defeat has definitely taken a toll on us and it was painful to see Egypt capitalise on two defensive lapses.

“However, we are a united group confident of our capabilities and are motivated by our extraordinary supporters and not money,” stressed the star from German champions Wolfsburg.

Algeria have reportedly been offered 300,000 dollars a man to reach the World Cup for the first time since 1986 and Egypt 200,000 to qualify after a 19-year absence.

A FIFA spokesman in Switzerland said extra time would be played if the teams finish level after 90 minutes and should deadlock remain, a penalty shoot-out will settle the outcome.