JUBA, Sept. 30 (Xinhua) -- Egypt moved to the top of Group B in the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers following a dominant 5-0 victory over South Sudan, leaving the host winless after two matches.
The Pharaohs took a 1-0 lead into halftime at the Juba National Stadium before scoring four unanswered goals in the second half.
The result put Egypt top of Group B with four points, followed by Malawi on three, Angola on one, and South Sudan at the bottom with zero.
Egypt head coach Hossam Hassan commended his players for securing a decisive win, describing the match as a tough test in difficult conditions with strong home support.
"We are extremely happy because the match has ended well; it is a relief and a source of celebration. The game indicates that our team is moving in the right direction," Hassan said at a press conference in Juba, the capital of South Sudan.
He noted that the scorching heat and the artificial turf at the Juba National Stadium had made it difficult for his players to play their usual game, but they eventually adapted and secured a convincing victory.
"The players have tried their level best, we have met our expectations, and our team has won as expected," Hassan said.
South Sudan head coach Christian N'Sengi-Biembe praised Egypt's performance, acknowledging the quality of the opposition despite the heavy defeat.
"We played against a top national team and we saw our level today. We need to work to improve," N'Sengi-Biembe said.
He noted that South Sudan still has an opportunity to qualify, with four games remaining.
"We are not yet eliminated because we still have four games to play, so we need to fight to keep improving. Today, Egypt is a team with quality players who have played at the World Cup," he said. ■
