Egypt beat Democratic Republic of Congo 2-0 at Cairo International Stadium on Wednesday evening, to book their place in the knockout stages of the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations.
The Pharaohs follow Nigeria into the Round of 16 with a Group A game to spare, thanks to first-half goals from Ahmed El Mohamady and Mohamed Salah.
DR Congo gave a good account of themselves on a hot evening in the Egyptian capital, but misfortune and a lack of composure at either end of the pitch ultimately cost them as they slumped to a second straight defeat.
The Leopards showed their intent from the onset with Trésor Mputu’s rasping volley in the third minute sailing into the grateful arms of Mohamed El Shenawy.
Egypt’s first chance came two minutes later and the Pharaohs were only denied the game’s opener by Marcel Tisserand. The DR Congo skipper with a timely touch to prevent Salah’s goal-bound effort from bulging the back of the net.
Tisserand was in the spotlight once more moments later, this time at the other end of the pitch. The burly defender looked sure to score as the ball fell to him in the penalty area, but he could only succeed in guiding his attempt onto the crossbar.
Egypt duly opened the scoring in the 25th minute, through their captain, El Mohamady. The Aston Villa right-back poking home after the Leopards failed to clear their lines from a routine corner-kick.
DR Congo, though, were not ready to throw in the towel and were denied by the post once more in the 40th minute. Jonathan Bolingi the unlucky customer with his looping header a few rotations too strong.
Egypt delivered the sucker punch right on cue two minutes before the halftime break through Liverpool’s Salah.
Mahmoud Trézéguet, the star from the opening game of the tournament, the architect in creating the goal for his teammate. The Turkey-based forward picked the ball up in his own half, weaved his way past a few defenders before feeding Salah who cut onto his favoured left foot before firing a rasping effort past Ley Matampi to double the Pharaohs’ lead.
The second half failed to really catch alight with the only notable chances falling to DR Congo late in the game.
Second-half substitute Yannick Bolasie came within inches of pulling a goal back for the Leopards in the 83rd minute, but his curling free-kick whistled inches wide of goal.
In the end it was another disappointing result for 2015 bronze medal winners as Egypt take another step in their quest of a record-extending eighth Afcon crown.
Egypt (2) (El Mohamady 25′ Salah 43′)
DR Congo (0) 0
Egypt: Elshenawy; El Mohamady, Hegazy, Hamed, Mohsen (Hassan 59′), Ashraf, Elneny, El Said (Soliman 68′), Alaa, Trezeguet (Ghazal 84′), Salah.
DR Congo: Matampi; Djos, Muzinga, Tisserand, Moke, Luyindama, Bope (Bolasie 64′), Maghoma, Mputu (Meschak 46′), Bolingi, Bakambu.
