The Pharaohs became the first African side to defeat Italy when Mohamed Hommos' first-half header gave them all three points in the Confederation Cup Group B game.

They wouldn't have done so if Al-Hadari, who plays for Swiss side Sion, hadn't been at his best.

The veteran goalie produced a number of superb saves to deny Italy from scoring at least three goals during the second half.

"Their goalkeeper had a fantastic game and things just did not go for us," Lippi said after the game.

Al-Hadari has been consistently criticized for failing to impress since joining Sion without the consent of his former club Ahli in February 2008.

He will not be available for Egypt for four months starting August after being banned by FIFA's Dispute Resolution Chamber for a breach of his Ahli contract.

Italy are now level on three points with Egypt, three behind leaders Brazil, whom they face in their final group stage game on Sunday.

The United States lie at the bottom after failing to get any points during their first two games, losing against Italy and Brazil.

"We’ve simply got to win (against Brazil). We will try to take the initiative," Lippi added.