The seven-time African champions currently sit atop Group A with 20 points, five ahead of second-placed Burkina Faso, and now need just one point from their next two games to secure their qualification for next year’s tournament.
Egypt coach Hossam Hassan opted for a different approach, implementing a complex defensive formation featuring five defenders.
The Pharaohs started the match cautiously, withstanding Burkina Faso’s high pressure from the outset.
Despite the intense atmosphere and large crowd, Egypt were solid at the back and dangerous on the counter-attack, utilizing the pace of Mohamed Salah and Mahmoud ‘Trezeguet’ Hassan to trouble the Burkinabe defense.
The first attempt on target came six minutes into the match when Ahly winger Trezeguet unleashed a powerful long-range strike, but it went wide.
In an early setback for Egypt, Manchester City forward Omar Marmoush was forced off the pitch due to a serious injury, prompting coach Hassan to bring on striker Osama Faisal as his replacement.
The Stallions pressed forward in search of a goal, but Egypt’s well-organized defense held firm, repelling all Burkinabe attempts on target.
The first real threat from Burkina Faso came after twenty minutes from a set piece, but Egypt's defense blocked the effort, with Pyramids FC striker Blati Toure capitalizing on the rebound with a strike, but it sailed over the bar.
Seven minutes later, Trezeguet tried his luck again with a powerful shot from outside the area, but Burkina Faso keeper Herve Koffi easily blocked the attempt.
Egypt's players aimed to dominate possession but struggled to create clear-cut scoring opportunities, as the midfield play was evenly contested, with neither goalkeeper facing any real threats, resulting in a goalless draw at the end of the first half.
Dangerous chances
After the break, Egypt maintained their cautious approach, allowing Burkina Faso to dominate possession and control the game, yet they failed to pose any threats to the Pharaohs’ net.
In the 53rd minute, Egypt staged a fast break led by Liverpool star Mohamed Salah, who found Trezeguet. The winger fired a low shot from close range, but Koffi managed to control the deflected ball well.
Salah thought he had scored in the 67th minute but the goal was ruled out for offside.
Ten minutes before the final whistle, unmarked Brentford forward Dango Ouattara came close to scoring following a free kick, but his header went wide.
Five minutes before the end, Hassan sought to freshen up his squad by introducing Ahmed ‘Zizo’ Sayed, Mostafa Mohamed, and Mohanad Lasheen in place of Osama Faisal, Trezeguet, and Ahmed ‘Koka’ Nabil, respectively.
Following the substitutions, Egypt had two golden opportunities to score through Mostafa Mohamed during fast breaks, but the Nantes striker failed to convert.
Egypt will have to wait for their upcoming match against Djibouti in the ninth round in October to seal their qualification for the global tournament.
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