The Alexandria-based team thrashed their visitors 4-0 on Sunday in the first leg of round 32, which ensures that their mission in the second leg in Ethiopia will be easy.
El-Hodoud coach, Tarek El-Ashri expressed his delight with this comfortable win, but he acknowledged that his players must exert much effort before the second leg.
"Winning 4-0 will make our job easier in Ethiopia," El-Ashri told a TV programme after the game, but "We were not in our top form considering we did not play for 55 days because domestic competitions are suspended. We must exert much effort to regain our fitness," he added.
Egyptian football has been at a standstill since 25 January due to the protests that forced President Hosni Mubarak to step down.
"The players were rushing up the goals and lacked concentration in front of goal. That’s how we threw away too many balls, which allowed our visitors to gain possession of the game.”
"In the second half we organised our game better and it paid off," El Ashri explained.
Thanks to three second-half goals from Mohamed Halim, Abdel-Rahman Farouk and Ahmed Abdel-Ghany they sealed a large victory.
El Ashri had to do without many key players like Islam El-Shater and Ahmed Eid Abd El Malek, who has been ruled out with injuries.
"Experience is a must when you play in African tournaments. We hope to regain our stars before the second leg to compete for the title," the coach concluded.
Haras El Hodoud will travel to Ethiopia to play Dedebit in the second leg on 1, 2 or 3 April.
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