Wounded Egypt fly to Tunisia seeking last Africa Cup hope

Ahram Online, Sunday 16 Nov 2014

Losing at home Saturday to Senegal gives the Pharaohs only one last chance of making it to the Africa Cup finals — a chance that looks unlikely

Egypt
Egypt's Arafa El-Sayed reacts after his team lost their African Nations Cup qualifying soccer match against Senegal in Cairo November 15, 2014 (Photo: Reuters)

The Egyptian national team is flying Sunday to Tunisia for the last 2015 Africa Cup of Nations group stage qualifier against Tunisia Wednesday.

The Pharaohs lost hopes for qualifying as the runners-up of Group G after losing 0-1 at home to Senegal by a Mame Diouf early goal.

Senegal guaranteed qualification after collecting 10 points — the same as leaders Tunisia who have 11 — while Egypt, on six points, needs to beat Tunisia away to stand a chance of finishing as the best third-placed team among the seven groups, a target that looks highly unlikely.

The delegation will be led by Gamal Allam, president of the Egyptian Football Association (EFA), alongside coach Shawky Gharib's squad.

Zamalek goalkeeper Ahmed El-Shennawy and midfielder Ibrahim Salah were injuried during Saturday's game and they are likely to miss the North Africa derby.

Egypt have not qualified for the Nations Cup since lifting the last of their record seven trophies in 2010, missing out on the 2012 and 2013 editions.

Read the full match preview here and check how coach Gharib praised the team despite the defeat here.

(For more sports news and updates, follow Ahram Online Sports on Twitter at @AO_Sports and on Facebook at AhramOnlineSports.)

Short link: