Egypt edged past the champions of Africa Senegal in their tense World Cup qualifying play-off on Friday night. An early own goal gave the Pharaohs a precious one-goal advantage going into the return leg.When Senegal and Egypt met the last time, we’ve had to wait for 120 minutes for a goal that never came. It was only in the penalty shoot-out that the goals started to flow. Thankfully, it wasn’t like that tonight – although the prize for winning was a big one – a place in the World Cup.A well-worked Egypt attack provided Salah an opportunity to shoot, but he could only hit the crossbar. Luckily for Carlos Queiroz’s side, the ball bounced of Saliou Ciss’ thigh and ended up in the net.Both teams had their chances in what was quickly becoming an ill-tempered encounter. Bad tackle here, a stray elbow there, and the game started to remind more and more of the AFCON final that took place less than 50 days ago.Egypt took a first half lead against Senegal and Mohamed Salah went CRAZY 🇪🇬 pic.twitter.com/PyPbh8941n— GOAL (@goal) March 25, 2022 Sadio Mane had a chance to level after the restart, but his header whistled just wide as Aliou Cisse’s team searched for an equalizer in the packed Cairo International Stadium. The noise levels were high as the crowd called for revenge against Mane, Sarr, Mendy, Koulibaly and the other Lions of Teranga.QATAR 2022: North Africans dominate as Tunisia, Algeria get advantage in PlayoffsSenegal captain Khalidou Koulibaly launched a hopeful forward ball late on as the visitors’ pressure pinned the hosts back. However, the hosts survived and preserved their slender lead. With the goal rate in the matches between these two teams, you can’t help but think that tonight’s unfortunate own goal could well prove the decisive one. But you can be certain that Senegal will do their best to make the home advantage count when these two teams meet again on Tuesday.Super sub Tissoudali salvages Morocco precious draw against ten-man DR CongoOver in Kumasi, Ghana and Nigeria were involved in an evenly-balanced game in which chances were few and far between. The Super Eagles looked like the team closer to scoring, however, as Ghanaians often showed nerves. The Black Stars were lucky to escape a couple of penalty shouts, including a late one that was overturned after a video review. It ended goalless, which will undoubtedly please the Nigerians more than the toothless hosts.WORLD CUP QUALIFIERS – AFRICAPlay-off, first legFridayDR Congo – Morocco 1-1 (1-0)/Wissa 12 – Tissoudali 76/Cameroon – Algeria 0-1 (0-1)/Slimani 40/Mali – Tunisia 0-1 (0-1)/Sissako 37 og/Egypt – Senegal 1-0 (1-0)/Ciss 4 og/Ghana – Nigeria 0-0
