The first half of the match between Egypt and South Sudan, held at Juba National Stadium as part of the second round of qualifiers for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations, ended with Egypt leading 1-0 thanks to a goal from Ziko in the 35th minute.
The match started quickly and excitingly for both teams, with South Sudan pushing forward to attack and shoot towards Mustafa Shobeir's goal. The South Sudan goalkeeper saved a chance from Omar Marmoush in the second minute, while Imam Ashour missed a clear opportunity in the fourth minute, and Ziko squandered another chance in the sixth minute.
In the 22nd minute, Ziko missed another goal from a clear breakaway, and Egypt's performance gradually declined during the first half, before Ziko capitalized on a pass from Ahmed Fattouh inside the penalty area to score the first goal in the 35th minute.
In the 38th minute, referee Ahmed Imtiaz issued a yellow card to Egypt's Marwan Attia, and the South Sudan goalkeeper saved a powerful header from Ziko in the 42nd minute, ending the first half with Egypt leading 1-0.
Egypt's lineup against South Sudan
- Goalkeeper: Mustafa Shobeir
- Defense: Mohamed Hani - Hossam Abdel-Meguid - Rami Rabia - Ahmed Fattouh
- Midfield: Mohanad Lashin - Marwan Attia - Imam Ashour
- Attack: Haitham Hassan - Mustafa Ziko - Omar Marmoush
On the bench for Egypt against South Sudan are: Mohamed Soliman, Mohamed Alaa, Tarek Alaa, Omar Fayad, Karim Hafez, Mahmoud Saber, Ali Mahmoud, Ibrahim Adel, Ahmed Sayed Zizo, Osama Faisal, Hamza Abdel Karim, while the fourth goalkeeper Abdelaziz El-Balhouti has been excluded from the squad.
