Egypt squeeze win against lowly Botswana

by Staff Reporter

Tuesday Oct 15, 2019. 12:00

Egypt secured a narrow 1-0 friendly victory over Botswana in Alexandria to start the tenure of new coach Hossam El-Badry on a winning note.

El-Badry will be relieved with the win, but it was not a performance to savour from the Pharaohs against a team that has been very much on the slide in recent times.

In a game of few opportunities, Hussain El-Shahat shot wide in the first half, while Ahmed Hassan inexplicably missed a fantastic chance when he put a rebound off-target when it seemed easier to score.

But the home side did get the vital goal with 15 minutes remaining through substitute Hamdy Fathi, who converted a cross from Mahmoud Alaa.

Next up for the Egyptians is a home clash with Kenya in the Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers on November 15, before they travel to the Comoros four days later.