Egypt’s national football team defeated Kenya 5-0 on Monday evening in their first friendly during the current training camp in Qatar
In his first appearance with the senior team, Arab Contractors forward Mohamed Salah made a dream debut with his dazzling performance at the 5-0 friendly win over Kenya, scoring a goal and causing a penalty. The Pharaohs - who were missing Ahly's players in addition to European-based Ahmed Elmohamady and Mohamed Zidan, produced an impressive display courtesy of Salah (10), Ahmed Hassan (18), Ahmed Eid Abdel-Malek (69), Ahmed Khairi (73) and Ahmed Abdel-Zaher's (89) goals.
Ahead of the match hosted by El-Gharafa stadium, players of both teams observed a minute of silence for the victims of Egypt’s worst football disaster, which happened earlier in February at Port Said and left at least 74 fans dead and hundreds injured.
In their first match since November’s 2-0 friendly defeat against Brazil, Egypt’s team dominated the game, putting the Kenyans under pressure from the game’s opening minutes.
After only ten minutes, the Pharoahs, winners of seven African titles, took the lead when right back Basem Ali reached the endline and played a low-cross to unmarked Salah, who scored the opener with a curling left foot shot.
At 18 minutes, veteran midfielder Ahmed Hassan scored the Pharaohs' second goal from a penalty after his teammate Salah was fouled in the area.
In the second half, Egypt waited until the 69th minute to increase their lead when substitute and Haras El-Hodoud striker Ahmed Eid scored the third goal from a penalty, awarded after he fell in the penalty area.
Four minutes later, Egypt’s attack continued as Eid raced on the right flank and passed the ball proficiently to Ahmed Khairi, who hit the net of the ten-man Kenyan team, after Agay was sent off in the 69th minute.
ENPPI's hitman Ahmed Abdel-Zaher completed the rout in the 89th minute, with an amazing move, as he bounced back on his feet after losing balance to shoot past the keeper.
The Pharaohs, under American manager Bob Bradley, are preparing for the qualifiers of the African Cup of Nations and the World Cup and they are set to play another two games during their trip, against Niger on 27 February and Uganda on 3 March.
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