Egypt sack coach after World Cup qualifier draw with Gabon

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Former Al-Ahly coach Hossam Al-Badry was sacked a day after the Pharaohs drew with minnows Gabon in a 2022 World Cup qualifier. (Reuters)
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Gabon were poised for a historic win, before Mostafa Mohamed equalized in the 90th-minute. (Twitter Photo)
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Updated 06 September 2021
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Egypt sack coach after World Cup qualifier draw with Gabon

  • Hossam Al-Badry paid the price for Egypt’s underwhelming performance against Gabon in a World Cup qualifier
  • Substitute Mostafa Mohamed secured point for Pharaohs after they were reduced to 10 men

Egypt’s Football Association on Monday sacked national coach Hossam Al-Badry a day after the Pharaohs drew with minnows Gabon in a 2022 World Cup qualifier.

“The association decided in an emergency meeting ...to thank the coaching and technical staff for their services with the national squad,” the EFA said in a short statement on its social media accounts.

A new coach is expected to be named within 48 hours, the EFA added.

A 90th-minute equalizer by substitute Mostafa Mohamed saved Egypt from defeat to Gabon at Stade de Franceville on Sunday night, with the 1-1 draw ensuring the Pharaohs remained top of their CAF World Cup qualifying group.

After a scoreless first half, Gabon took the lead through Jim Allevinah on 73 minutes, shortly after Egypt had Omar Gaber sent off for a second booking.

But with the hosts just moments away from a historic win, up popped Mohamed with the last-gasp goal.

Egypt now tops Group F on 4 points, while Gabon posted its first point of the campaign. Angola faces Libya in Luanda on Tuesday.

The first half was a cagey affair, with Gabon slowly exerting pressure and coming close to breaking the deadlock, but Arsenal forward Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and his teammates failed to test Mohamed El-Shenawy in Egypt’s goal.

Gabon continued to cause Egypt problems after the break, but El-Shenawy stood firm.

The home side was handed a huge advantage after Gaber received his marching orders with 20 minutes left, and moments later, they made it count when Clermont Foot forward Allevinah exchanged passes with Andre Biyogo Poko before finishing past El-Shenawy.

Egypt coach Hossam Elbadry brought on strikers Mohamed and Salah Mohsen in an effort to save the match, and his substitutions paid off in the final minute.

A long ball was headed on by Mohsen into the path of Mohamed, whose first shot was stopped by Gabon’s goalkeeper Anthony Mizwe, but he nodded in the rebound to see the spoils shared.


Australia rest Cummins, Hazlewood, Maxwell for Pakistan T20 series

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Australia rest Cummins, Hazlewood, Maxwell for Pakistan T20 series

  • Josh Hazlewood, Tim David and Nathan Ellis will also skip the series starting later this month
  • Australia will play Pakistan in Lahore on Jan. 29, 31 and Feb. 1, before traveling to Sri Lanka 

MELBOURNE: Australia will rest five top players, including Pat Cummins and Glenn Maxwell, for a three-match Twenty20 series in Pakistan ahead of the World Cup, selectors said Monday.

Josh Hazlewood, Tim David and Nathan Ellis will also skip the series starting later this month.

Their absence opened the door to fringe players Sean Abbott, Mahli Beardman, Ben Dwarshuis, Jack Edwards, Mitch Owen, Josh Phillippe and Matt Renshaw, who come into the 17-man squad.

Chief selector George Bailey said the five were either returning from injury or having their loads managed ahead of the T20 World Cup in India and Sri Lanka which begin on February 7.

“The series is a great opportunity for those on the brink of selection and some young players we rate highly for valuable experience,” he added.

“Some are already experienced international players, along with Mahli Beardman who has been with the group a number of times, and Jack Edwards who joined for the last one-day match against India in Sydney last year.”

Australia will play Pakistan in Lahore on January 29, 31 and February 1, before traveling to Sri Lanka where they are scheduled to open their World Cup campaign against Ireland in Colombo on February 11.

Australia squad: Mitchell Marsh (capt), Sean Abbott, Xavier Bartlett, Mahli Beardman, Cooper Connolly, Ben Dwarshuis, Jack Edwards, Cameron Green, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Matthew Kuhnemann, Mitch Owen, Josh Philippe, Matthew Renshaw, Matthew Short, Marcus Stoinis, Adam Zampa