Under the helm of Egyptian coach Hossam El-Badri and with participation of goalie Essam El-Hadary, El-Merreikh defeated Hilal Al-Sahel 2-1 in the Sudanese league opening game Saturday.
The 43rd and 31st minute goals by El-Merreikh forwards Mosaab Omar and Almokadem canceled out Hilal's early goal by forward Abdullah in the 29th minute.
The Sudanese outfit signed Ahly former coach El-Badri who asked to include El Hadary in his squad. It was the first official game for the Pharaohs’ goalkeeper after ending a four-month FIFA suspension for his illegal move to Switzerland’s FC Sion in 2008 from Egyptian giants Ahly.
The three-time African Cup of Nations (CAN) champion could make an appearance in the next Pharaohs’ game against South Africa, on 25 March, in the 2012 CAN qualifiers.
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