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Egypt beat Congo, book seat in 2018 World Cup in Russia

ALEXANDRIA, Oct 8 (KUNA) -- Egypt have booked the second seat for the African continent in the World Cup 2018 in Russia, following Nigeria, after defeating Congo Brazzaville 2-1 at home.
Liverpool international Mohammad Salah scored Egypt's two goals in second half of the game, played at the 85,000-capacity Borg El Arab Stadium in Alexandria.
Salah broken the deadlock just after 62th minute as he latched on to Mohammad El Nenny's pass before poking home from close range.
But an energized stadium was silenced in 86th minute when the Congolese player Arnold Bouka Moutou scored the equalizer.
Salah ensured qualification after turning a dramatic penalty at the stoppage time into a winning goal, sending the ball to the left of the keeper who dove to the opposite side.
Today's victory gave Egypt an unattainable four-point lead over Uganda in Group E with one round of fixtures remaining.
Egypt also beat Congo away, and Ghana and Uganda at home to accumulate 12 points, with the only loss away to Uganda.
Egypt last qualified for the World Cup in 1990 with the record seven-time African champions suffering numerous heart-breaking failures ever since.
Egypt also appeared in the World Cup 1934 in Italy, where they were knocked out 4-2 by Hungary.
Nigeria became the first African qualifiers Saturday with a 1-0 Group B win over Zambia in Uyo thanks to a goal from another English Premier League player, Alex Iwobi of Arsenal.
Tunisia or the Democratic Republic of Congo will qualify from Group A and Morocco or the Ivory Coast from Group C. (end) rg.ibi