Egypt beat a weak Rwanda side 5-1 in a friendly match in Port Said as both teams continued their preparations for the forthcoming Nations Cups finals.
The result does not bode well for Nations Cup newcomers Rwanda since three of Egypt`s foreign-based players, including leading striker Ahmed `Mido` Hossam, missed the game due to club engagements.
It took the Pharaohs just 16 minutes to open the scoring as Ahmed Belal broke through Rwanda`s defence and chipped the ball neatly over the goalkeeper.
Ten minutes later, Belal made use of the huge gaps in the Rwandan rearguard to set up Tamer Abdel Hameed who notched an easy second.
In the 39th minute, Zamalek defender Bechir El Tabei made it 3-0 after the visiting goalkeeper failed to stop his lengthy 40-yard strike.
Although the Egyptians were constantly able to break the east Africans` offside trap, Rwanda
retained their weak defensive strategy throughout the second half.
They were punished by two more goals, as Turkey-based Ahmed Hassan scored after 59 and 68 minutes.
The two goals both came from the Besiktas player breaking in from the right flank and shooting home from a narrow angle.
One piece of good news for Rwanda came seven minutes from time as Edid Said scored a consolation goal after the Egyptian goalkeeper Nader El Sayed failed to stop his shot from the edge of the penalty area.
Rwanda`s comprehensive defeat comes just 16 days before the Wasps are due to meet hosts Tunisia in the opening game of the Nations Cup finals.
The east Africans` other opponents in Group A are Guinea and DR Congo.
Meanwhile, Egypt are drawn in Group C alongside Algeria, Nations Cup debutants Zimbabwe and reigning champions Cameroon.
