Egypt have thrashed Benin 4-1 in their African Zone World Cup Group 3 qualifier in Cairo today.

Egyptian striker Amr Zaki managed to score a stunning hat-trick, opening up the scoring in the 12th minute, and adding another just three minutes later in the 15th. After having dominated the play for most of the first-half Egypt went into half-time deserved leaders.

Benins striker Stephane Sessegnon scored in the 59th minute for Benin, giving the jubilatory home crowd of 25,000 some hope of a win.

But, sadly for the home side, that was soon to be undone, with Tottenham Hotspurs striker Mido adding another in the 70th minute, before Zaki rounded off his hat-trick in the 83rd minute.

Cameroon now lead Group 3 on 20 points, after their dramatic 3-2 win against the Ivory Coast, and one point ahead of them. Egypt is currently third with 16 points, 3 points behind the Ivory Coast, whilst Benin are in last place, behind the Sudan, and Libya with just two points.

Egypt, who can't qualify for the World Cup, play Cameroon on October 9th, which could see a very interesting match. Cameroon need a win to secure a place in the finals, whereas a win for Egypt could see them take second place in the group, and in doing so, earn a place in the African Cup of Nations.

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