Ten-man Egypt tied 1-1 with Algeria in what is the last friendly before next month’s African World Cup qualifiers.
The match, played on Monday in the UAE, saw Egypt take the lead at the hour mark with a close-range header by Hamdi Fathi. The goal was scored despite Egypt playing with a man less after defender Mohamed Hani was shown a straight red card for a reckless challenge on Ahmed Touba in the 26th minute.
In injury time Algeria levelled when an unmarked Islam Slimani headed in.
Though it was listed as a friendly, Hazza Bin Zayed Stadium was packed with mostly Egyptian fans and smatterings of Algerian supporters who were treated to an exciting contest between the two North African rivals who have a history of bad blood.
With every touch of the ball Egypt’s Liverpool star Mohamed Salah was cheered on and almost scored when his chipped shot in the first half smacked off the crossbar.
Salah had been heavily criticised on social media the past week for not posting messages of support for the Palestinians in the wake of ongoing Hamas-Israeli clashes which have killed thousands of people on both sides since 7 October.
But on Sunday the Red Crescent said that Salah had made a “significant donation” to provide aid to Palestinians living in Gaza. The exact amount was not disclosed.
The match against Algeria was Egypt’s second friendly in the UAE. The Pharaohs had edged Zambia 1-0 on Thursday 12 October thanks again to a Fathi header, this one in stoppage time.
The two warm-up games are in preparation for two big upcoming football events: African qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup and the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).
Egypt were handed a relatively easy draw for the World Cup qualifiers after being placed in Group A alongside Burkina Faso, Guinea-Bissau, Sierra Leone, Ethiopia, and Djibouti. The home and away fixtures start next month. Egypt has made only three appearances at the World Cup, the last in Russia 2018.
Then will come the 34th edition of AFCON to be held in the Ivory Coast from 13 January to 11 February.
Egypt, which is looking for a record-extending eighth continental crown, will face Ghana in Group B along with Cape Verde and Mozambique. This will be a repeat of the 2010 AFCON final which the Pharaohs won 1-0. It would be the last time Egypt would win the trophy. In World Cup qualifiers, Egypt and Ghana have split the rewards. Ghana outdueled Egypt to make an appearance in Brazil 2014, including a 6-1 trouncing at home. But Egypt turned the tables to qualify for the 2018 World Cup in Russia at Ghana’s expense. The two also met in AFCON 2017 with Egypt winning 1-0 en route to the final.
In the most recent AFCON, in 2022, Egypt reached the final before going down to Senegal in a penalty shootout.
Egypt is being led by Brazilian coach Rui Vitorio who at one point took the Pharaohs to eight consecutive victories during his 14-month tenure.
Hosts Ivory Coast were joined in Group A by regional rivals Nigeria. Nigeria were last crowned AFCON winners in 2013 in South Africa and the Ivory Coast succeeded it two years later in Equatorial Guinea. Ivory Coast, seeking a third AFCON title, will face an improved Guinea-Bissau, who have qualified for a fourth straight edition, in the opening match on 13 January in Abidjan. The Ivorian clash with three-time champions Nigeria will attract the most attention among the six Group A fixtures. Equatorial Guinea makes up the group’s West African affair.
Defending champions Senegal are pitted in Group C against five-time winners Cameroon, Guinea and AFCON debutants Gambia.
Algeria, Burkina Faso, Mauritania and Angola add some star quality to Group D.
Former champions South Africa and Tunisia face off, along with Mali and Namibia in Group E.
Shock 2022 World Cup semi-finalists Morocco should navigate a comfortable Group F containing DR Congo, Zambia and Tanzania in Group F. The Atlas Lions have won the premier African football competition only once, in 1976 in Ethiopia. Their best performance since then was finishing runners-up to 2004 hosts Tunisia.
In the group stage, the top two teams from each of the six groups will advance to the knockouts, alongside the best four third-placed teams.
Six venues across Ivory Coast, including two stadiums in Abidjan, along with newly constructed facilities in Bouake, Korhogo, San Pedro, and Yamoussoukro, are set to host the matches.
The final will be held at Abidjan’s Alassane Ouattara Stadium, with a seating capacity of 65,000.
Group A: Ivory Coast, Nigeria, Equatorial Guinea, Guinea Bissau
Group B: Egypt, Ghana, Cape Verde Islands, Mozambique
Group C: Senegal, Cameroon, Guinea, Gambia
Group D: Algeria, Burkina Faso, Mauritania, Angola
Group E: Tunisia, Mali, South Africa, Namibia
Group F: Morocco, DR Congo, Zambia, Tanzania
* A version of this article appears in print in the 19 October, 2023 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly
Short link: