The game between Egypt and Ghana Black stars that was tagged as ‘decisive’ may well prove as such.

The Egyptian coach picked this team to start the battle: Essam El-Hadary; Ahmed Fathi, Ali Gabr, Ahmed Hegazy, Mohamed Abdel-Shafi, Tarek Hamed, Mohamed Elneny, Abdallah El-Said, Mahmoud 'Trezeguet', Mohamed Salah, Bassem Morsi

Avram's preferred 11 were: Razak Brimah; Harrison Afful, Baba Rahman, Daniel Amartey, Jonathen Mensah; Mubarak Wakaso, Emmanuel Agyemang-Badu, Thomas Partey, Jordan Ayew , Andre Ayew, Christian Atsu.

The Pharaohs got their revenge in what was a compact and assured performance.The game was largely played in the middle of the park in the early exchanges of the first half with the Black stars dominating and controlling the tempo of the game.

Both keepers didn’t have much to do until Egypt was awarded a penalty on the 42nd minute after Harrison Afful was guilty of bringing down an Egyptian player in the box with a clumsy challenge.

Mohammed Salah stepped up and converted coolly through the middle beating Razak Braimah to make it 1-0 for the Pharaohs right before the break.

The second half was pretty much the same with Black stars once again dominating the early exchanges and the Pharaohs sitting deep and relying on fast counter attacks.

Agyemang Badu came closest to equalizing for Ghana after his header from a Wakaso cross glanced agonizingly wide. Coach Avram Grant made his first substitution on the 68th minute replacing Thomas Partey for Jeffrey Schlupp.

Ghana went in search of the equalizing goal but on the 85th minute Abdellah El Saied made it two for Egypt to ensure victory.  In a last minute attempt to salvage something from the game, Avram threw in Abdul Majeed Warris who replaced Mubarak Wakaso on the 89th minute but it was too late.

This victory in effect means the Egyptians are run away leaders of the Group E with 6 points, Uganda second with 4 points, Ghana on third with a point and Congo with 0.

World Cup qualification mathematically is far from over for the Black Stars but it certainly just got a lot harder and  the Stars cannot afford any more slip ups if they are to ensure Ghana is represented at Russia 2018.

Story by Daraja Mutari