Matthew Kenyon BBC Sport, Cairo

Egyptians must wait for a firm quarter-final place

The game was billed as a clash of the North African giants but it failed to live up to expectations.

Egypt's Ahmed Fathi had the best chance of the game, after being put clear on the right by his captain Ahmed Hossan.

But his 23rd minute effort went wide, to the consternation of the home crowd.

With no goals in the first half, the atmosphere in the stadium became tense, while Mido, the arrowhead of the Egyptian attack, failed to impress and was eventually substituted in the 80th minute.

Egypt could have wrapped it up several times From SW Have your say on 606

Morocco goalkeeper keeper Tarik El Jarmouni was forced into a number of saves in the second half, with the most memorable coming off Abdel Zaher El Saka, whose 30-metre drive was tipped over the bar.

But Emad Moteab, who came on as a substitute for Mido, failed to bury a last minute chance that could have sealed victory for Egypt.

With only the goalkeeper to beat, he miskicked his shot which went weakly into the arms of El Jarmouni.

Youssef Safri had Morocco's best chance but his close-range header was tipped around the post for a corner.