Photo: CAF

Central Africa: 10-man Central Africa Republic stuns Pharoahs at home.

Central African Republic recorded a historical win over record seven times African Champions Egypt, wining 3-2 at the Alexandria Burg El Arab stadium as both teams clashed in the first leg of the 2013 Orange African Cup of Nations second round qualifier.

Despite playing with a man less for almost an hour, the CAR's "Wild Beasts" stunned the Pharaohs and recorded an unprecedented victory that could see Egypt miss the continent's masterpiece tournament for the second time in a row.

Egypt started the game brightly, and it was at the ninth minute when German based Mohamed Zidan put the Pharaohs infront, making use of Mohamed Salah's cross to send the ball home. Salah could have doubled the score but saw his effort rebounding from the post. And just as Egypt were in ascendancy, Momi Hilaire led a speedy counter attack for Central African Republic, ran round Egypt's keeper El Hadary and scored the equalizer for the visitors after 26 minutes.

The equalizer elevated C.A.R players' confidence and Hilaire should have scored his second but his shot hit the crossbar. But the visitors faced a blow when Salif Keita was sent off for a clash with Zidan by the Algerian referee Haimoudi Djamel. Both teams went into the break tied 1-1.

After the break Egypt manager Bob Bradley introduced Ahmed Fathy for Ahmed El Mohamady, but it was Salah who gave Egypt the lead after 49 minutes, making good use of Mohamed Abou Treika's through pass. Zidan left the field for Mohamed Nagy "Gedo" as Egypt went on searching for more goals. But against the run of play it was Hilaire who scored C.A.R 's equaliser just after the hour mark.

And while the Pharaohs were looking to restore their lead, Hilaire turned from scorer to provider when he sent a good pass that put Kithvoma Manga one on one with El Hadary, and Manga made no mistake scoring the visitors' third goal. Egypt tried hard to search for the equaliser but in vain. At the final whistle it was the delighted Beasts who celebrated a historical victory in Alexandria.

The Pharaohs now have to score at least two goals without reply in the return leg scheduled on June 30th in Bangui to avoid missing the Cup of Nations for the second time in a row.