The Pharaohs of Egypt suffered a surprise 0-1 loss to Chad in the first leg of their 2018 Fifa World Cup in N’Djamena on Saturday.

A second half goal by Ezechiel N’Douassel ensured that the Chadians claimed a famous victory over one of Africa’s powerhouses as the World Cup qualification on the continent continued to throw up shocking results.

Interestingly it was just two months ago that the Egyptians brushed aside the Chadians 5-1 in a 2017 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying match at the same venue.

But there was not going to be a repeat of such scoreline for Hector Cuper’s men, who played with two strikers in Bassem Morsi and Ahmed Hassan.

It was clear from the way Chad acting head coach Rigobert Song set up his side to play the Egyptians that they were out to stymie the North Africans from replicating the 5-1 scoreline of September in the Afcon qualifier.

The Egyptians enjoyed a larger chunk of the possession in the first 45 minutes, limiting the hosts to just a couple of scoring chances – and half-chances at that.

Football being a game of two halves was proven so by the Chadians in the business end of the game. Chad were all over Egypt like a bee swamped over honey, and surprisingly too considering how the first half played out.

And 17 minutes to time, N’Douassel, from an unmarked position, headed the winner away for the Chadians.

Then like the waves of a sea, the Egyptians poured forward in numbers in search of a late goal to put the game on even terms.

But Chad held on for a famous victory as they will now take a one-goal advantage to Egypt for the second leg at the Bog El-Arab Stadium in Alexandria on Tuesday.

Egypt were without the quartet of Mohamed Salah, Mohamed Abdel-Shafi, Rami Rabia and Hazem Emam, ruled out because of injuries and fitness concerns.