LUSAKA, 8 October 2006 — Holders Egypt were held to a surprise 0-0 draw by hosts Botswana in their African Nations Cup qualifier in Gaborone yesterday.
Egypt created few chances in the Group Two match despite having Tottenham Hotspur striker Mido back in the side.
Mido had two opportunities to break the deadlock while Mohamed Zidane shot wide with only the goalkeeper to beat in the second half. Hossam Abd Rabou was also denied twice as Egypt stepped up the pressure in the later stages.
Egypt have four points from two matches while Botswana, coached by Englishman Colwyn Rowe, have one point. Burundi host Mauritania in the same group later.
Idrissou Double Guides Cameroon
Past Equatorial Guinea
In Yaounde, two goals by Mohamadou Idrissou led Cameroon to a 3-0 win over Equatorial Guinea yesterday, giving the home team a commanding lead in African Nations Cup Group Five qualifying.
Equatorial Guinea, content to sit back in defence, held Cameroon at bay well into the second half thanks to good goalkeeping from Danilo Emmanuel.
Idrissou, drafted into the squad at the 11th hour to replace injured African Footballer of the Year Samuel Eto’o, was brought on to replace Guy Feutchine midway through the second period and made an immediate impact.
The MSV Duisburg striker scored in the 72nd minute with a diving header from a cross by Jean Makoun.
Osasuna’s Achille Webo made it 2-0 with another header before Idrissou nodded the third goal in the 88th minute.
“It was not easy but the boys did well and we are happy to pick up the three points,” assistant coach Jules Nyongha told reporters.
Cameroon have six points from two games while Equatorial Guinea are on three.
Rwanda and Liberia, who meet today, are without a point.
