Omar Marmoush finally found his scoring touch and he did it twice against South Sudan yesterday their 2027 Africa Cup of Nations Group B qualifier at Juba Stadium.
The forward ended a six-month international goal drought with a brace as Egypt stormed past South Sudan 5-0 in their 2027 Africa Cup of Nations Group B qualifier at Juba Stadium yesterday.
The Pharaohs produced a dominant response after being held to a frustrating goalless draw by Angola in Cairo on Friday, with Mostafa Ziko, substitute Ibrahim Adel and Barcelona youngster Hamza Abdelkarim also getting on the scoresheet.
With captain Mohamed Salah rested because of the artificial-turf surface, Marmoush was given the responsibility of leading Egypt’s attack, while Al Ahly midfielder Marwan Attia returned from suspension.
Egypt immediately seized control and could have opened the scoring inside the first five minutes, but Ziko and Emam Ashour both missed presentable opportunities from close range.
Ziko made no mistake in the 36th minute, however, rising to meet Ahmed Fattouh’s cross before smashing the ball into the net to give Egypt a deserved lead.
Marmoush then doubled the advantage just four minutes after the restart. Mohanad Lashin’s long ball sent him racing through on goal, and the forward kept his composure to beat the goalkeeper and end his long wait for an international goal.
Coach Hossam Hassan made a double change in the 53rd minute, bringing on Ibrahim Adel and Karim Hafez for Haissem Hassan and the injured Fattouh.
Adel immediately made an impact, adding Egypt’s third in the 75th minute and effectively putting the result beyond doubt.
Marmoush was not finished. He struck again in the 83rd minute to complete his brace before Abdelkarim put the final stamp on a ruthless Egyptian performance deep into stoppage time, scoring his first international goal.
South Sudan, who have never reached the AFCON finals, struggled to match Egypt’s quality and failed to seriously trouble goalkeeper Mostafa Shobeir.
The emphatic victory takes Egypt to four points at the top of Group B, at least temporarily, while South Sudan remain bottom without a point after suffering a second consecutive defeat.
Egypt will now turn their attention to a friendly against South Africa in Cairo on October 4.
The top two teams in each qualifying group will advance to the 2027 AFCON finals, which will be jointly hosted by Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda from June 19 to July 17, 2027.
