Fair enough

EGYPT took its first points on the way to the 2004 African Nations Cup, beating Mauritius by a lone goal scored by Ahmed Hossam.

The win gave Egypt three points with two games left against Mauritius and Madagascar. Both games are to be played in Cairo. Madagascar leads the group with six points with two games left. Egypt lost its opener against Madagascar 1-0 in September.

Despite the win, Egypt could not get it together for vast stretches of play. Once again, injuries and the inability to call up all of the country's European-based players, this time due to the war in Iraq, stymied coach Mohsen Saleh's efforts to create a cohesive squad. Several players continue to resort to individual skills rather than teamwork.

No more than 400 spectators, mainly invited officials, were on hand to watch the game.

Egypt took the lead seconds before the end of the first half when star striker Hossam netted a header to the left of the sprawling keeper. Hossam, better known as Mido, was transferred earlier this month from Ajax Amsterdam to Celta Vigo of Spain.

After the match, Saleh said he was pleased with the result despite the modest performance. He said his team's showing was disappointing but that it came because of the pressure put on the players to win. He added that the three points were the most important achievement. "That's what mattered because that is the key to remaining in competition for the African Nations Cup qualifications in Tunisia 2004."