MO SALAH’s stunning free-kick helped Egypt keep their perfect record in the Africa Cup of Nations as they beat Uganda 2-0 to reach the last 16.
The Liverpool striker curled a 36th minute opener before Aston Villa right-back Ahmed Elmohamady powered home a drive in first-half stoppage time – each star now having two goals in this Cairo tournament.
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Both players are still on a high after Jurgen Klopp‘s Reds won the Champions League and Villa beat Derby in the Championship play-off final.
And although much-fancied Egypt topped Group A with three wins, runners-up Uganda also qualified for the knockout stages ahead of DR Congo and Zimbabwe.
That was just what Uganda deserved as they dictated the opening period against the seven-time tournament winners.
Lively duo Farouk Miya and Emmanuel Okwi both tested Egypt keeper Mohamed El-Shenawy, only for Salah to net from his side’s first effort on target.
El-Shenawy then twice foiled Lumala Abdu, but Egypt skipper Elmohamady neatly tucked in Ayman Ashraf’s pull-back.
Uganda pressed again early in the second half, Muya threatening with two free-kicks.
But Salah nearly added a highly-flattering third goal, Denis Onyango producing a brilliant save.
Uganda will not be too disappointed, though, as this is the first time they have qualified for the last 16 since 1978, when they lost the final 2-0 to Ghana.
