Egypt coach Bob Bradley highlighted the importance of the team’s opening win in the World Cup qualifiers after they strolled to a 2-0 home victory over Mozambique on Friday.

The Pharaohs, bearing in mind the upsets of the past, were aware they could not afford to slip up at home in their opening match, having suffered dearly from a 1-1 draw against Zambia in 2009 after eventually failing to make it to the World Cup in South Africa one year later.

“It’s an important first step. The first match is always difficult because each team starts with a lot of hope,” the American boss, who enjoyed a winning start in his first competitive game in charge of Egypt, said in a television interview.

A dull first-half ended goalless but Egypt, who appeared affected by lack of domestic action following February’s Port Said tragedy, roared back in the second half to claim all three points, thanks to goals from defender Mahmoud Fathallah and substitute Mohamed Zidan.

“Mozambique were organized today, and they played defensively from the beginning. We are very pleased to make the first step,” Bradley added.

“The whole group deserves credit. And the new players like Mohamed Salah handled this game very well, it’s a big step for young players.”

Egypt next face Guinea away from home on 10 June. They must finish on top of Group G to advance to the decisive round, where they will play a two-legged tie for a place at the 2014 World Cup finals in Brazil.

The seven-time African champions made the last of their two World Cup appearances in 1990 in Italy.

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