Egypt have eliminated Uganda from the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations after claiming a 1-0 win in a Group D clash at Port-Gentil on Saturday night.
Combined with Ghana’s earlier win over Mali, the Cranes have been mathematically eliminated from qualifying for the quarterfinals, while Egypt have moved to second place with four points and are well placed to join the Black Stars in the next round.
Egypt settled the quicker of the two teams, but apart from the occasional flash of inspiration from wingers Mohamed Salah and Ramadan Sobhi they offered little to threaten Dennis Onyango in Uganda’s goal.
Uganda took their time to settle into the game, but they nearly claimed a shock lead in the 28th minute when a left-flank cross from Joseph Ochaya was almost turned into his own goal by Egypt defender Ahmed Hegazy.
The Cranes gained confidence as the half wore on and with 10 minutes to the break they had their first effort in anger, with Farouk Miya playing a quick one-two with Tony Mawejje before dragging a right-footed shot wide of the mark.
That was as close as either side came to a goal in the first half, with the Pharaohs probably the better team overall, but Uganda would have been happy with their work in the first 45 minutes.
Egypt were the first to make a change in the second half, with Hector Cuper sending on Abdallah Said just before the hour mark. The substitute soon wasted his team’s best chance of the match, firing off target when given a clear sight of goal from the edge of the box.
On 73 minutes they had another good opportunity when Mohammed Abdel Shafi provided a fine cross from the left to find the head of Marwan Mohsen, but the Al Ahly striker put his effort over the crossbar.
The game looked destined to end in a goalless stalemate, but in the 89th minute Uganda’s defence finally crumbled and Mohamed Salah was able to tee up Said, who arrived late to power a low shot through the goalkeeper’s legs and seal a late victory for the Pharaohs.
Group D will wrap up with simultaneous matches on Wednesday night: Egypt will face Ghana in Port-Gentil, while Mali will tackle Uganda in Oyem.
Egypt (0) 1 (Abdallah Said 89’)
Uganda 0
Egypt: Essam El Hadary, Ahmed Hegazy, Ali Gabr, Mohammed Abdel Shafi, Ahmed Fathi, Mohamed Elneny, Ramadan Sobhi (Amr Warda 66'), Mahmoud Hassan (Mahmoud Abdel-Moneim 80'), Tarek Hamed (Abdallah Said 59'), Mohamed Salah, Marwan Mohsen
Uganda: Dennis Onyango, Joseph Ochaya, Murushid Juuko, Godfrey Walusimbi, Denis Iguma (Moses Oloya 90+1’), Hassan Wasswa, Farouk Miya (Nicholas Wadada 81'), Khalid Aucho, Geoffrey Kizito, Tony Mawejje, Geoffrey Massa (Muhammad Shaban 65')