In Juba, where Egypt’s route towards the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations continued under the evening lights of the National Stadium, Barcelona teenager Hamza Abdelkarim needed only three minutes to add another landmark to a remarkable early season. The 18-year-old striker came off the bench against South Sudan and scored his first senior international goal as Egypt won 5-0.
Key takeaways
- Abdelkarim struck Egypt’s fifth goal in his eighth senior appearance for the Pharaohs.
- Egypt remain first in Group B of the second qualifying round, with four points from two matches.
- Omar Marmoush scored twice before being replaced by the Barcelona forward.
- Mohamed Salah did not feature after leaving the squad to avoid playing on an artificial surface.
- The result was Hossam Hassan’s biggest victory in 37 matches as Egypt coach.
A poacher’s finish in Juba
Abdelkarim entered after Marmoush had done much of the decisive work in the absence of Salah. With the score already beyond South Sudan’s reach, the young forward reacted quickest when the home goalkeeper could only push out Osama Faisal’s angled effort. Abdelkarim was in position to turn the loose ball into the net and complete the five-goal win.
It was not a spectacular finish, but it underlined the penalty-area awareness that has accompanied his measured rise at both club and international level. Abdelkarim has already been Barcelona’s leading scorer during pre-season, has appeared at a World Cup with Egypt’s senior side, and now has his first goal for the national team.
Egypt had taken time to break South Sudan down, with Mostafa Zico opening the scoring in the 36th minute. Marmoush doubled the advantage four minutes after the interval, before Ibrahim Adel made it 3-0 in the 76th minute. Marmoush collected his second in the 80th, and Abdelkarim then supplied the final touch.
A timely night for Egypt and Hassan
The 0-5 margin carries significance beyond Abdelkarim’s breakthrough. It is the largest win recorded during Hossam Hassan’s 37-game spell in charge of Egypt, arriving amid questions over his position following reported tensions with some players and his criticism of the standard in Egypt’s domestic top division.
Salah’s departure from camp left Egypt without their captain and most recognisable attacking figure. Ramy Rabia wore the armband in Juba, while Marmoush assumed the principal creative and scoring burden before Abdelkarim replaced him.
For Egypt, the win strengthens their position at the summit of Group B after two qualifying fixtures. For Abdelkarim, it is another small but important stop on a fast-moving journey: from Barcelona’s pre-season to senior international football, and now to a first goal in Egypt colours far from home in South Sudan.
