Egypt Beats Cameroon In Friendly

Egypt remained unbeaten in 2012 with a 2-1 friendly victory over an experimental Cameroon side as both squads prepare to open their World Cup qualifying campaigns in less than two weeks.

Star player and idol Mohamed Aboutrika converted a late penalty kick to give Egypt the win after the ref awarded a dubious spot kick with about 10 minutes to go.

Sunderland defender Ahmed Elmohamady had put the hosts in the lead when he headed in a free kick late in the first half. The Pharaohs looked to stretch their advantage in the second half but instead conceded a penalty thanks to a handball in the box, which was fired home sharply by Banda for Cameroon.

Egypt's record is now 9-2-0 (W-D-L) in friendlies during 2012 as former U.S.A. coach Bob Bradley prepares his side for its opening qualifying game June 2nd versus Mozambique. They will play two more friendlies prior to that, opposing Togo and Zambia.

Cameroon will call in its A-squad and start its qualifying round at home to the Democratic Republic of the Congo.