The precursor?

IT WAS billed as a warm-up before the African Nations Cup but Saturday's friendly in Cairo between Egypt and South Africa could also have been viewed as a battle between the two leading contenders to host the 2010 World Cup. Egypt won the friendly and hopes here are high it will meet with the same success when the bid to host world football's showpiece event goes to a vote in May, Mohamed El-Sayed reports.

Egypt squeaked by South Africa 2-1 thanks to a late header by Ahmed "Mido" Hossam.

Embodying a 3-4-2-1 format in the first half, the Pharaohs failed to pose any serious threat to the South African defence.

After the restart, Egyptian head coach Mohsen Saleh resorted to the traditional 3-5-2 system that suits most Egyptian players. The tactical change bore fruit as the Pharaohs dominated the second, at least possession wise. Yet the visitors went ahead via a header by Benni McCarthy in the 49th minute.

In the 72nd minute, Medhat Abdel-Hadi equalised, hammering home a 40-metre scorcher that left the South African goalkeeper stranded and flailing away at thing air.

Putting on the pressure in the remaining minutes, Egypt scored the winner in injury time. Tareq El- Sayed pinpointed the Marseilles-based Hossam with a perfect cross from the left that the unmarked Hossam put in easily.

Before this encounter the squads, considered two of Africa's perennial powerhouses, were equal as each side had won twice in four previous matches.

Egypt, four-time African champions, play more friendlies over the next few months. Other games include matches against Mali, Benin and Kenya scheduled from 8 to 15 January.

The Nations Cup begins on 24 January. The Pharaohs will open their campaign against Zimbabwe in Sfax on 25 January. Defending champions Cameroon and Algeria are also in the group.