Missed penalty helps Egypt edge Mali

5 January 2010 05:42

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(GSM) - A miss on a twice-taken penalty helped Egypt secure a 1-0 friendly victory over Mali in Dubai on Monday as both sides prepare for next week's African Cup of Nations in Angola.

The two sides played out a stalemate for the first 65 minutes of the game, but the game sprung to life shortly after that point.

Mohammed Nagi, also known as "Geddo," took loose ball on the edge of the penalty area and slammed a shot beyond Mali goalkeeper Mahamdou Sidibé, sending a pro-Egypt crowd into rapture in Dubai.

It seemed, however, that Mali would grab a point when they were awarded a penalty in the final minute of match.

Bakaye Traoré stepped up to the spot and converted the spot kick, but an infraction forced the referee to award a re-take. On the ensuing effort, Traoré's shot clanged against the underside of the bar and came out, preserving an Egyptian victory.

Mali open Cup of Nations play on Sunday in the opening match against hosts Angola, while Egypt's first Group C encounter is a tussle with Nigeria a week from Tuesday in Benguela.