By the time Al-Ahram Weekly comes out this week, Egypt could have qualified for next year’s Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON). If not, they would at least have come as close as one can possibly get to reaching the tournament without actually reaching it.
Egypt’s 2-0 win over Mauritania in the AFCON qualifiers in Cairo on Friday left Egypt just one point away - meaning a draw - from securing qualification for the 2025 tournament in Morocco.
Currently, after three games and three left, Egypt lead Group C with a maximum nine points, ahead of Mauritania, Cape Verde and Botswana, who each have three points.
(Although Egypt are the runaway leaders in their group, the remaining three countries are battling to claim the second qualifying place for the 2025 finals. The qualifiers put 48 nations into 12 groups of four, with the top two teams from each group securing their place in Morocco).
A draw in Tuesday’s away rematch in Nouakchott would be enough for Egypt to officially secure their spot in the finals. The game, however, would have been played after the Weekly came out in print.
Egypt have a record seven AFCON titles but the last was lifted in 2010. The 14-year gap is a lot for a former champion and in a tournament held every two years instead of the usual four.
Earlier this year, in the Ivory Coast, Egypt were kicked out of the AFCON in the round of 16, knocked out by the DR Congo.
The 2025 AFCON is scheduled to begin on 21 December 2025 and will culminate with the final on 18 January 2026.
Ivory Coast are the defending champions.
In Cairo on Friday, Egypt faced stubborn resistance from Mauritania until Mahmoud ‘Trezeguet’ Hassan netted 69 minutes into the clash.
Prolific Liverpool scorer Mohamed Salah put the outcome beyond doubt with a second goal 10 minutes later to maintain the Pharaohs’ perfect record after three rounds.
Trezeguet made no mistake, rifling in a shot past the keeper after a loose ball had bounced favourably for the Aston Villa man.
The goal marked Trezeguet’s 21st international goal in his 77th cap for Egypt.
Salah doubled the lead following an impressive through ball from Marwan Ateya to Mohamed Hamdi, who played a low cross to the Liverpool star for him to beat the keeper.
Salah will be rested for the second leg in Mauritania, according to a statement by the Egyptian Football Association (EFA). Concerns over the artificial turf and the physical style of play by the Mauritanian side prompted the decision by Egypt’s coach Hossam Hassan.
The decision aims to prioritise Salah’s health and minimise injury risks, especially with important Premier League fixtures ahead. As a result, Salah, Egypt’s captain, did not travel with the team to Mauritania.
Salah and Liverpool partner Virgil van Dijk will return to the club earlier than expected after being released from international duty.
It is a boost for Liverpool manager Arne Slot whose side host Chelsea in the Premier League on Sunday 20 October.
The Reds went into the international break at the top of the table, one point above champions Manchester City.
Egyptian striker Mustafa Mohamed will also not be travelling to Mauritania after suffering a pulled hamstring.
* A version of this article appears in print in the 17 October, 2024 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly
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