Softening the zero

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Hossam Hassan, right, led Egypt to a sweeping victory over South Africa (photo: Medhat Abdel-Meguid)

EGYPT is one step away from qualifying for the world futsal cup after trouncing South Africa 8-2. Egypt also won the first leg match in South Africa 11-1 for a 19-3 aggregate win.

Egypt next meets Morocco, the result of which will determine which African squad goes to Taiwan next year for the world cup in futsal, which is five-a-side football.

Coached by Mohamed Ali, Egypt was led on the ground by Hossam Hassan, formally the most capped international in the regular game, and who is new at futsal.

Egypt and South Africa last battled for the right to host the 2010 World Cup. In May South Africa won the FIFA vote, collecting 14 votes to Egypt's none.