Two goals from Mohamed Salah and Abdallah El-Said gave Egypt a precious 2-0 home win over Ghana to help the Pharaohs make a significant stride in their bid to qualify for the World Cup for the first time since 1990.

With their deadly counter attacking abilities on full display in a sold-out clash at Alexandria’s 86,000-seat Borg El-Arab Stadium, AS Roma winger Salah converted a penalty and Ahly playmaker El-Said finished off a breakaway in the dying minutes of both halves to lead Egypt to a second win in as many Group E games.

Wild joy scenes erupted following the final whistle after Egypt went five points clear of main challengers Ghana, avenging a painful 7-3 aggregate defeat that included a 6-1 first-leg humiliation in Kumasi in a World Cup qualifying playoff in 2013.

Egypt lead the group with six points, two clear of Uganda who defeated pointless Congo 1-0 on Saturday.

Ghana are third on a solitary point as their hopes of making a fourth successive World Cup appearance are hanging by a thread.

Egypt, who have not lost in any home World Cup qualifier since 2004, next face Uganda in two home and away matches next year.