Three first-half goals and one in the second were enough for Egypt to inflict a second-leg defeat on Malawi in the race for the Africa Cup of Nations qualification drive in a match played at Bingu National Stadium in Lilongwe, a result that condemns the Flames to a tall order race and the Pharaohs top of the group.
Tarek Hamed drew first blood just four minutes into the match capitalizing on a defensive lapse after being well set up by a sprint Zizo.
Hamed was quick to react to the pass before he rounded off Charles Thom in goals for Malawi.
Two minutes later, the Flames were forced to make their first change pulling off Peter Banda, one of the players that marked five changes made by coach Mario Marinica. The Simba scintillating attacker who appeared to have furthered his feared injury from the last match was replaced by Chimwemwe Idana.
Omar Marmoush extended the Pharaoh’s lead just after sixteen minutes. The towering VfL Wolfsburg forward was kept onside by the Flames’ defense well utilized a failed clearance by Lawrence Chaziya slotting home from the comfort of his feet.
The Flames were forced to launch a quick counterattack in reaction but the balls were in no match for Gabadihno Mhango in front whose partnership with Stain Dave at this point remained dismal as the towering Egypt defenders led by Hamdy Sharaf were alert to clear the balls.
But minutes later, the Flames conceded yet again. This time, Egyptian skipper Mohammed Salah slotted from outside the box after well-taken exchanges with Mahmoud Hamada.
The two managed to beat off Chembezi and Charles Petrol before the Liverpool forward took the effort which went in no match for Thom.
But the visitors were on target yet again as Zizo was able to connect a cross by Hamed before he came in the way of Chaziya and Dennis Chembezi to make one of the easiest tap-ins over Thom.
The fourth goal forced Marinica to three changes. The Romanian pulled off Thom in goals for the home side for Brighton Munthali and Micium Mhone, Gaddie Chirwa who replaced Idana, Charles, and Dave.
The exchanges, later on, went for the visitor who drew off Salah, Marmoush, and Hamada for Mostafa Fathi, Hamadi Fathi, and Alanyaspor forward Ahmed Mahgoub.
No goals came the way of either side for the Egyptians to now go top of Group D meaning that the Flames have a tall order in the next round of fixtures.
The Flames lie third with three points just like Ethiopia.
The Pharaohs now go top on goal difference with the same nine points as Guinea who were 3-2 winners of Ethiopia yesterday.
Malawi will play Ethiopia on 12th June before completing the campaign against Guinea on 4th September.
The Pharaohs have to play Guinea and Ethiopia on equal terms.
Here is how the Group shapes up.
