Egypt goalkeeper Mohamed Abou Gabal
Senegal are set to host Egypt at Stade Olympique de Diamniadio in Dakar on Tuesday in the decisive second leg of the 2022 African World Cup qualifiers after the Pharaohs claimed a narrow 1-0 win in the first leg in Cairo on Friday.
“The second leg will be difficult for both teams and I pray we can win and qualify for the World Cup to confirm that we deserved to win the Africa Cup of Nations title,” Abou Gabal told the pre-game news conference on Monday.
Senegal prevailed over Egypt in the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations final in Cameroon last month, winning on penalties following a 0-0 draw.
“It was a difficult feeling to reach the Africa Cup of Nations final and lose but it’s football and we learnt the lesson well.
“We will play against Senegal again in the World Cup qualifiers and we have to react to our defeat in the AFCON final. We did that in the first leg in Cairo and now we have to finish the job,” Abou Gabal said.
Egypt and Senegal are bidding to reach the 2022 FIFA World Cup that will take place in Qatar from 21 November to 18 December, as both teams eye a second successive World Cup appearance.
Egypt made it to the prestigious tournament three times in 1934, 1990, and 2018, while the Lions of Teranga Senegal reached the FIFA World Cup twice in 2002 and 2018.
Senegal placed 18th in the FIFA world ranking after claiming the AFCON 2021 title that took place in Cameroon from 6 January to 9 February 2022, while Egypt placed in the 34th position.
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