Egypt striker Ahmed Hassan 'Koka' celebrates scoring the opener against Zambia (Photo: Ahram)
Portuguese Sporting Braga striker Ahmed Hassan 'Kouka' bagged a brace to inspire Egypt to a 3-0 friendly win over Zambia at Mohammed Bin Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi as both teams gear up for the 2018 World Cup qualifications next month.
Kouka opened the scoring in stunning fashion minutes into the game, before adding another one himself three minutes after the break.
Ahly striker Amr Gamal then made it three deep into stoppage time to give Egypt a 3-0 win against an opponent who hardly troubled them throughout the game.
Egypt, who last made it to the World Cup finals 25 years ago, face the winner from the match between Sierra Leone and Chad – where the winner would move on to the qualifying group stage.
Kouka scores double
Unlike the recent 5-1 Cup of Nations' qualifying win at Chad, Egypt manager Hector Cuper opted for a 4-4-1-1 formation, featuring Tarek Hamed and Mohamed Elneny in midfield, with Mahmoud Kahraba and Mohamed Salah on the flanks.
And it was just three minutes into the first half when Kouka opened the scoring for his first senior international goal.
Red-hot winger 'Kahraba' released full-back Mohamed Abdel-Shafi down the left, before the latter played in a low cross which was exquisitely converted by Kouka into the net.
Egypt were largely dominant throughout, and Zamalek striker Bassem Morsi was guilty of missing an easy chance following some good work from Kahraba and AS Roma winger Salah.
In the 3rd minute of the second half an assist coming this time from the opposite flank saw right-back Omar Gaber set up Kouka for a score.
Gaber sent in a cross into the box as Kouka made no mistake from near the penalty spot to grab his personal double of the night.
The match then turned into an insipid affair. Still, there were further goals to be scored, and this time Gamal - brought on as a half time substitute instead of Morsi - put his name on the scoresheet with just seconds left.
Again, Gaber was the man who assisted in the goal, which was largely similar to Kouka's second, but this time it was an unmarked Gamal who found the net from inside the box.
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