Egypt vs Mauritania: AFCON Qualifiers Set for Intense Battle in Cairo

On Thursday, the Mauritanian national football team, known as the ‘Lions of Chinguetti,’ conducted a training session in Cairo in preparation for their upcoming Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifier against Egypt. The match is scheduled for Friday at the Cairo International Stadium, followed by a return leg in Nouakchott next Tuesday.

The Egyptian team, led by head coach Hossam Hassan, has made a strong impression in Group C of the qualifiers. They achieved dominant victories against Cape Verde and Botswana, with a 3-0 and 4-0 scoreline respectively. In historical clashes between the two teams, Egypt has maintained an unblemished record against Mauritania, winning all three previous encounters.

Mahmoud ‘Trezeuget,’ an Egyptian midfielder, underlined the team’s respect for their opponents, saying, “The Mauritanian team is very good, and we always respect whoever comes to play against us.” Despite their superiority in past matches, Trezeuget emphasized the team’s continuous effort to achieve success on behalf of the Egyptian people.

While Egypt stands firm as the favorite, Hassan has faced criticism regarding his player selections and the overall performance of the team in recent times. Addressing critics, Hassan remarked, “For the past seven months, there has been ongoing criticism about our opponents… I want to emphasize that in every away match, if I can’t secure a win, I will at least ensure I don’t lose.”

Mauritania’s journey in the AFCON qualifiers has been mixed, beginning with a narrow 1-0 victory over Botswana, followed by a 2-0 defeat to Cape Verde. The team hopes to overturn their fortunes against an Egyptian side that has been solid in recent fixtures.

The Egyptian squad boasts notable figures, including attack players Salah and Marmoush, who are expected to showcase their prowess on the field. Conversely, the Mauritanian team will rely on key players such as winger Mahmoud Sy and forward Bakary Niass to potentially upset the hosts.

The Pharaohs aim to extend their perfect qualifying run and secure a path to the AFCON, as fans and pundits alike anticipate the outcome of this crucial double-header against the Lions of Chinguetti.