"I am happy to have played the entire game and the goal made me more determined to maintain my starting place with the national team," Zidan told reporters after Saturday's victory.

The Werder Bremen striker played his first international game in a year as he was ousted from the Egyptian squad in the African Cup of Nations in January.

He didn't receive Egypt's call in time because of the Christmas holidays and was subject to criticism after media reported that he refused to play in the African tournament.

Zidan partnered Ahmed Hossam 'Mido' in the front line and scored Egypt's opener in the fifth minute after a silky pass from Ahmed Hassan.

Mido, however, put on an average show alongside many others but said that Egypt's shaky performance was due to their grief over the death of team mate Mohamed Abdul-Wahab.

Ahli's international left-back Abdul-Wahab died during his club's training on Thursday morning due to heart attack.

"We knew it won't be easy because our spirits were low after Abdul-Wahab passed away hours before the game," Mido said.

Egypt's captain Hassan, who wore Abdul-Wahab's number 3 shirt of during the game, echoed similar sentiments.

"I wore it to say that we will never forget our late friend and that his spirit will always be with us," he said.