{"id":267960,"date":"2016-11-13T18:09:54","date_gmt":"2016-11-13T18:09:54","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/citifmonline.com\/?p=267960"},"modified":"2016-11-13T18:09:54","modified_gmt":"2016-11-13T18:09:54","slug":"black-stars-2-0-loss-to-egypt-dents-world-cup-hopes","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/citifmonline.com\/2016\/11\/black-stars-2-0-loss-to-egypt-dents-world-cup-hopes\/","title":{"rendered":"Black Stars 2-0 loss to Egypt dents World Cup hopes"},"content":{"rendered":"
Ghana\u2019s hopes of reaching a fourth straight World Cup were massively dented after they succumbed to a 2-0 loss to Egypt in Alexandria.<\/p>\n
Roma forward, Mohammed Salah fired home from the penalty spot minutes from the break after Harrison Afful brought down Trezeguet.<\/p>\n
Abdallah El-Said made the points safe in the second half with a neat turn and finish in the box.<\/p>\n
The result leaves the Black Stars 6 points behind group leaders Egypt who have won both of their games so far<\/p>\n
The Pharaohs could have taken the lead in the first few minutes of the game as a well-worked free-kick almost fell to Salah in the box but goalkeeper Brimah was out quickly to clear.<\/p>\n
The Black Stars dominated the game from that point winning a couple of corners and free-kicks in dangerous positions.<\/p>\n
Jordan Ayew was particularly impressive, pressing the Egyptians high up the pitch and winning a freekick just outside the box, With Wakaso forcing El-Hadary into a save.<\/p>\n
Despite their dominance, the Black Stars failed to create many clear-cut chances and were restricted to long-range shots.<\/p>\n
With the half seemingly petering to a goalless climax, a run by Trezeguet was stopped unfairly by Afful and the referee pointed to the spot.<\/p>\n
Mohammed Salah made no mistake, sending the keeper the wrong way to put the Pharaohs ahead at the break.<\/p>\n
In the second half, the Black Stars showed more intent with Agyemang Badu heading just wide from a free-kick.<\/p>\n
Christia Atsu also tested the veteran Egyptian keeper as the Black Stars sought the equaliser.<\/p>\n
However the chances dried up after that and the Egyptians began to exploit some of the spaces in Ghana’s defence. \u00a0The\u00a0Pharaohs sealed the three points<\/p>\n
The\u00a0Pharaohs sealed the three points when Salah found Abdallah El-Said in the box who turned his marker and fired past Brimah’s desperate dive.<\/p>\n
\nGroup E standings after two games:<\/p>\n
1. Egypt – 6 points<\/p>\n
2. Uganda – 4 points<\/p>\n
3. Ghana – 1 point<\/p>\n
4. Congo – 0 points #CitiSports<\/a><\/p>\n