A slack defensive display allowed the hosts to go two-nil up after 22 minutes, with an Asamoah Gyan strike and a Wael Gomaa own goal.

Mohamed Abou-Treika pulled one back for Egypt with a penalty, only for Abdul-Majeed Waris to restore Ghana’s two-goal advantage.

In the second half, Gyan added one more before Egypt lost goalkeeper Sherif Ekrami to injury, with 35 minutes to go.

Substitute keeper Ahmed Al-Shennawi was unlucky to cause a penalty that was converted by Sulley Muntari, while Christian Atsu came off the bench to complete the damage.

Egypt now need a miracle to overturn their trailing when both sides clash for the second leg next month.

Sheer embarrassment

Egypt endured a forgettable start, with a clear-on-goal Gyan shooting into Ekrami’s hands after just 10 seconds.

The Ghana hitman made no mistake on the second time of asking, smashing home the opener on 5 minutes.

Nine minutes later, Kwadwo Asamoah forced a fine save from Ekrami.

Egypt tried to weather the storm by moving Hossam Ghaly back to sweeper as Ekrami was called into action again two minutes later, this time with an incredible stop to deny Waris.

But Egypt’s nightmarish start was not to go unpunished, with Michael Essien embarrassingly tormenting the Pharaohs' defense, before Gomaa did the rest for 2-0.

Amid the one-way traffic, Egypt had a chance to turn it around but defender Mohamed Naguib headed over in front of an empty net in what was a glaring miss.

Despite the grim scenario, Egypt were handed a lifeline when Salah won a penalty near half time, allowing Abou-Treika to steer in expertly.

However, Waris made sure it is a two-goal cushion on half time, heading home from close-range following Muntari’s pinpoint cross.

More embarrassment!

Seven minutes after the break, Gyan settled it with the fourth goal and his second of the day.

Adding more misery to the terrible evening, Egypt keeper Ekrami went down injured and had to be replaced by Al-Shennawi.

It meant that Egypt made their three substitutions with 35 minutes to go.

As Egypt were just hoping to avoid more embarrassment, Ghana were awarded a controversial penalty after Al-Shennawi was adjudged to have fouled Waris, even though it seemed the former won the ball.

Muntari stepped in to make it 5-1.

With two minutes remaining, Ghana scored the sixth when substitute Atsu smashed home past the hapless Al-Shennawi from long range.