Libya disconnected

Egypt smashed Libya in a World Cup qualifier but it might not be enough, as Nashwa Abdel-Tawab explains

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Mido sends a curve towards goal. His first goal helped make Shehata, above, one happy coach

The two neighbouring teams met in Cairo, where the home side survived a scare before coming out 4-1 victorious.

As emphatic as it was, the victory was somewhat nullified by a win by Group Three leaders Ivory Coast who remain five points ahead of Egypt with just four matches remaining.

The Libyans, who started the day second in the table but who now lie fourth, took the lead after 52 minutes through Osman Al-Fergani, scoring against the run of play. Al-Fergani combined well with Nader Kara as he penetrated the Egyptian defence before lobbying the ball past a charging Abdel-Wahed El-Sayed from close range.

Egypt needed only three minutes to draw level as Ahmed "Mido" Hossam fired home on his international return. In an action-packed five-minute spell, the Pharaohs then went 2-1 up after 57 minutes as Emad Meteib converted. The provider for Mido turned the scorer this time as Meteib headed strong past goalkeeper Ghazal.

Mido saw a speculative 30-yard volley hit the bar as Egypt surged forward. Then he made way for Ahmed Hassan. The Turkey-based Hassan made his presence felt when his powerful 25-yard strike found its way into the back of the Libyan net in the 79 minutes before Meteib wrapped up the scoring with his second goal nine minutes from time.

Before the start of the match, which was attended by high-ranking sports officials and the president's sons, the qualifier was marred by crowd violence as a section of the 5,000 travelling Libyan fans ripped up the plastic seats inside the stadium and hurled them at police. There were also scuffles after the match, although there were no reports of serious injuries.

Egypt played against Libya with its new local coach Hassan Shehata at the helm for the first time in an official game. Shehata, who took over from Italian Marco Tardelli, proved a national coach was just as capable at running the team. "The boys played well and gave victory to Egypt to make all happy after a time of depression," Shehata said after the game.

Embodying a new spirit, the team started the game on fire. Hosni Abd Rabbou almost gave Egypt a sensational start with a fantastic volley that went over the bar. Then Mohamed Barakat made his presence felt in the box but Meteib failed to connect with his pass. Mido then struck the first of two curling free kicks that hit the post.

Libya struggled to offer anything in the way of an attacking force. They remained as it until Abd Rabbou unleashed a powerful shot which Ghazal did well to save. The Libyans then launched a swift counter-attack but were thwarted. Then Nader Kara fell behind the Egyptian defence and scored but his goal was ruled offside.

The Egyptians later struggled to get hold of the ball as Libya grew in confidence.

The Egyptians had the better of the chances in the scoreless first half but in the second the Libyans looked less overawed.

Group Three leaders Ivory Coast took a step closer to a first ever World Cup finals appearance after beating Benin 3-0 in Abidjan on Sunday. The Elephants extended their gap at the top to four points after easing to a comfortable victory thanks to goals from Bonaventure Kalou and two from Didier Drogba. Kalou opened the scoring after 12 minutes before Drogba converted a penalty six minutes later. The Chelsea striker scored the game's final goal in the 59th minute when he made it 3-0 for Henri Michel's high-flying side.

The match was notable for the presence of Ivorian goalkeeper Jean-Jacques Tizie, who returned to competitive action for the Elephants a month after losing a testicle in a freak accident while playing for Tunisian club Esperance.

At the same time, Cameroon's hopes of reaching a fifth successive World Cup finals were kept alive in dramatic fashion when Sudan were beaten 2-1 in Yaounde. The Indomitable Lions entered injury time with the scores locked at 1-1 but substitute Achille Webo struck in the second minute of the stoppage period to secure a vital victory. It was the second time in successive World Cup qualifiers against Sudan that Cameroon had scored in the last minute, following their last-minute equaliser in the October clash in Khartoum.

Cameroon had opened the scoring when Geremi fought home a free kick after 35 minutes, but Haytham Tambal drew the visitors level just seven minutes later. Midway through the second half, Cameroon's task was helped when Sudan's Amier Damer was sent off. The victory was the first in charge of a competitive match for Cameroon by their new Portuguese coach Artur Jorge, who was appointed in January.

From their six games, Cameroon now boast 11 points, one more than both Egypt and Libya.

Before Libya, Egypt had played five World Cup qualifiers, winning twice and losing twice. Egypt beat Sudan 3-0 in Khartoum, and Cameroon 3-2 at home. Losses were 2-1 to Ivory Coast and 2-1 to Libya and a 3-3 draw with Benin.

Egypt next faces Sudan in Cairo in June, then Ivory Coast away. In September it meets Benin in Cairo and finally Cameroon in Yaounde in October. The teams are battling to represent Africa in next year's World Cup in Germany.