Egypt concluded their Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers on a high note after beating Ethiopia 1-0 at home, thanks to Mostafa Fathi’s first-half strike on Friday night.

The Pharaohs had already confirmed their qualification for the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations in Ivory Coast as well as the top spot of the qualifiers. Entering the final game against Ethiopia, Rui Vitoria’s men needed revenge for their shocking first-leg defeat at the Bingu National Stadium.

Without the likes of Mohamed Salah, Mahmoud Trezeguet, and Mohamed Elneny, Vitoria was forced to make some changes to the starting XI, with Mostafa Fathi, Marmoush, and Mostafa Mohamed leading the attack. Hamdi Fathi partnered up once again with former Al Ahly teammate Marwan Attia in midfield, which also saw the presence of Pharco’s Mahmoud Hamada.

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Mostafa Fathi kept toying with Ethiopia’s defence and had a beautiful cross met by Mostafa Mohamed’s header in the 35th minute saved again by the keeper. In the 37th minute, the Pyramids FC winger was finally rewarded with a goal when the keeper couldn’t hold onto Omar Marmoush’s strike for the rebound to fall to Fathi, who tapped the ball in to make it 1-0.

Four minutes later, Hamdi Fathi thought he doubled Egypt’s lead after he headed in Omar Marmoush’s corner into the back of the net, but the referee ruled out the goal for a foul on the goalscorer. Ethiopia had two half chances to score following that through Egyptian Premier League veteran Shemeles Bekele, but the first was blocked by Hany, and the second saw Dawa Hotessa’s effort go just wide.

The game eventually finished in a 1-0 win to Egypt for the Pharaohs to top Group F with 15 points from six games and extend the winning run under Rui Vitoria. Since Rui Vitoria took over Egypt, the Pharaohs have won all eight games, scoring 20 goals, while conceding just twice.

Egypt starting XI: Mohamed El-Shennawy, Mohamed Hamdi, Mohamed Abdelmonem, Ali Gabr, Mohamed Hany; Mahmoud Hamada, Mostafa Fathi, Marwan Attia; Omar Marmoush, Mostafa Fathi, Mostafa Mohamed.

Ethiopia XI: Said Habtamu, Henok Adugna, Aschalew Tamene, Amanuel Terfa, Ramadan Yesuf; Canaan Markneh, Dawa Hotessa, Surafel Dagnachew, Gatoch Panom, Dawa Hotessa; Abel Yalew.