Preview: Egypt vs Mauritania,Africa Cup of Nations Qualifying Group Stage
Soccer News 2024/10/10 06:31
Egypt got off to a flying start in the 2025 AFCON qualifiers, recording a 3-0 win over Cape Verde in their opening game, followed by a 4-0 thrashing of Botswana in their second.
Trezeguet got the ball rolling with a brace in the first 29 minutes, before Liverpool star Mohamed Salah made it three with his first goal of the qualifiers and Mostafa Fathi added a fourth in stoppage time.
Currently top of Group C with six points, Hossam Hassan's side will be hoping to extend their winning streak in AFCON qualifying to eight matches when they face Mauritania twice in five days - home and away.
The Pharaohs are unbeaten in their three previous meetings with Friday's visitors, picking up two wins and a draw - two of which were in AFCON qualifying.
Egypt, unbeaten in their last four matches in all competitions, will be looking to make it two wins from two at home against the Lions of the Chinguetti, having won 3-0 in the last meeting in 2007.
Mauritania secured a 1-0 win over Botswana in their opening AFCON qualifier, but were unable to maintain the momentum as they lost 2-0 to Cape Verde in their second match a few days later.
The win over Botswana ended a five-match winless streak for the Lions of the Chinguetti and Amir Abdou will be hoping his side can avoid such a run if they are to qualify for successive AFCON tournaments.
Mauritania, who currently sit third in the group with three points and are only behind second-placed Cape Verde due to an inferior head-to-head record, will be hoping to cause an upset by taking points from Egypt to boost their chances.
However, their last away win was against Central African Republic in June 2023, and they have since lost to Congo DR and Cape Verde, while drawing away to South Sudan.
Pyramids FC midfielder Mahmoud Saber has been called up to replace the injured Nabil Emad, who is expected to miss Friday's game with a hamstring strain.
Salah, Ahmed Sayed, Mostafa Mohamed and Omar Marmoush are expected to form the attacking quartet for the game.
The biggest names in the Mauritanian squad are AEK Athens winger Aboubakary Koita and former Fulham striker Aboubakar Kamara.
Mamadou Sy led the line last time out and the 23-year-old is expected to start up front again.
Egypt possible starting lineup:
El Shenawy; Hany, Rabia, Fathi, Hamdy; Trezeguet, Attia; Marmoush, Sayed, Salah; Mohamed
Mauritania possible starting lineup:
Niasse; Diaw, L. Ba, Houeibib, Keita; Ngom; Amar, Ngom, Fofana, Moushine, Koita; Sy
Prediction:Egypt 3-0 Mauritania
Egypt VS Mauritania stream and TV listing
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CAF Africa Cup of Nations
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Egypt
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