The Pharaohs, who will host Senegal in the first leg at Cairo International Stadium tomorrow evening, need to win the game in order to make the mission easier in the away game in Dakar on Tuesday.

“After the 2021 AFCON, we put ourselves in a position where we can compete for everything and win everything. We performed well in the AFCON despite the lack of luck in the final, we have a chance to qualify for the World Cup, the dream of all Egyptian players and fans,” El-Sulaya told ON Time Sports TV channel.

The Lions of Teranga defeated Egypt last month at the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations final on penalties.

“Everyone has full concentration, and we didn’t prepare for the game in a day or two, but we’ve been preparing since the Cup of Nations final two months ago,” he added.

In recent years, El-Sulaya, 32, has secured his place as one of the main pillars of the national team and Ahly as a result of his commitment and stable performance on the field.

“We are all aware of the size of our responsibility and the difficulties we will face. We are now focused on the first leg only, and any 11 players on the field will do their best,” the midfielder said.

“We remind ourselves of what we said to each other in Cameroon, that we want to make the fans happy and qualify for the World Cup. There is only one way, which is to win, and I hope that success is on our side, El-Sulaya stressed.

“We are waiting for the supporters on Friday, and I hope that their presence gives us great motivation, as there are many players who haven’t played in front of the fans before, and there are no excuses. Our goal is one and that is to make you happy,” he concluded.

The Pharaohs will be missing many important players against Senegal due to injuries, including Ahmed Hegazi and Ramadan Sobhi, but at the same time, Mohamed Salah and Mahmoud ‘Trezeguet’ Hassan have been announced fit for Friday’s game.

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