Egypt continued their flawless run in the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers with a 2-0 victory over a determined Mauritania side on Friday night in Cairo. Goals from Mahmoud ‘Trezeguet’ Hassan and Mohamed Salah were enough to secure the Pharaohs’ third consecutive win in Group C, solidifying their position at the top and bringing them closer to the 2025 AFCON finals in Morocco.
From the outset, Egypt was expected to dominate, but Mauritania, ranked 101st in the world, showed great defensive organization. They frustrated the hosts for large parts of the first half, with their deep defensive block effectively cutting off Egypt’s main attacking outlets, including Salah. Egypt had the bulk of possession but struggled to create clear scoring opportunities, with Mauritania’s goalkeeper making a series of crucial saves. The first half ended goalless, and despite Egypt’s control, Mauritania’s disciplined display gave them hope of holding out.
However, the breakthrough finally came in the 69th minute when Mahmoud Trezeguet found space on the edge of the box and unleashed a powerful shot into the bottom corner. His individual brilliance broke Mauritania’s resistance, and Egypt quickly took control of the game. With the pressure now lifted, the Pharaohs began to play with more freedom, and Mauritania, who had been rock solid until that point, started to falter.
Just 10 minutes later, Mohamed Salah put the game beyond doubt. The Liverpool star, who had been tightly marked for most of the game, capitalized on a rare defensive error to score Egypt’s second goal with a composed finish. It was Salah’s second goal of the AFCON qualifiers, underlining his importance to the team and showcasing his ability to deliver in crucial moments. His goal sealed Egypt’s third straight win in the qualifiers, keeping their perfect record intact.
ALSO READ
- Best Betting Sites in Kenya – October 2024 Comparison Guide | Jambobet and Top Bookmakers
- Van Dijk’s Rare Red, Dumfries’ Heroics Rescue Dutch in Hungary Stalemate
- Cameroon 4-1 Harambee Stars: Unbeaten Run Ends in Yaoundé
Egypt’s Dominance in Group C
With this victory, Egypt now sits comfortably at the top of Group C with nine points, three clear of their nearest rivals Cape Verde, Botswana, and Mauritania, all of whom are battling for the second qualifying spot. Egypt has not only been clinical in attack but also rock-solid in defense, having yet to concede a goal in the qualifiers. The combination of Trezeguet’s attacking flair and Salah’s leadership, along with a formidable backline, puts Egypt in a commanding position as they push toward securing a place in Morocco.
Mauritania, despite their defeat, showed enough resilience to suggest they could still compete for a spot in the AFCON finals. Their defensive organization and discipline frustrated Egypt for long periods, and they will need to build on this performance in their remaining qualifiers. However, they will need to add more attacking threat to their game if they hope to challenge Cape Verde and Botswana for second place in the group.
Egypt’s next match will be crucial in continuing their momentum as they look to qualify early for the AFCON finals. With Mohamed Salah and Trezeguet leading the charge, the Pharaohs are confident of maintaining their perfect run and securing their place in the tournament. For coach Rui Vitoria, keeping the squad focused and hungry will be key to ensuring no slip-ups in the remaining matches.
Are you ready to witness Egypt’s journey to AFCON glory? Follow their upcoming matches and stay tuned for more updates on their road to the finals in Morocco! Don’t miss a moment of the action—get behind the Pharaohs as they push for another continental triumph.
