Un little less than two months after the final of the African Cup of Nations (CAN) won by Senegal, the Pharaohs of Egypt find the Lions of Teranga for, this time, a place in the next African Cup. world, which will take place in Qatar. For Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mané, the two stars of Liverpool, it is a new fratricidal fight but in all sportsmanship which is looming in two rounds, the first on March 25 in Cairo, the second on March 29 in Dakar, at the Abdoulaye stadium. -Wade from Diamniadio.
The sacred union against Senegal
In Egypt, it is quite simply the sacred union. Carlos Queiroz, whose two-game suspension (against Cameroon in the CAN semi-finals) has been reduced to just one, calls for the general mobilization of 100 million Egyptians for a union of hearts behind the national team . “D-Day – 5. Prioritize goals and dreams, nothing is impossible. Never doubt that a team full of brave, talented and committed people can change the future. All together now united, supporting the Egypt team. An Egyptian flag at each window. A national team shirt for every fan. One hundred million fans gathered and united in a heartbeat,” he said on his Twitter account. This match has taken on a whole new dimension since the last meeting between the two teams at the CAN and Egypt is keen to mark the occasion.
Frustrations to overcome
Watching some Egyptian players back at their respective clubs, it was noticeable how much they should be focused on the play-offs due to difficult times following the continental competition.
Abou Gabal, known as Gabaski, probably the best goalkeeper of the last CAN, symbolizes the difficulties of Zamalek, already eliminated from the Champions League group stage after only four days. Less reassuring in his outings, his return to everyday life seems difficult. He should also leave his club at the end of the season towards the Saudi championship.
Al Ahly, who had seven players in the Egyptian squad who took part in the AFCON, also seems out of breath since returning from the Club World Cup, where he clinched third place for the second consecutive year. With only four points picked up in four days, and two consecutive defeats against the South Africans of the Mamelodi Sundowns, he will have to fight until the last day to ensure his qualification for the quarter-finals.
Knowing that these two clubs are those with the largest number of players in the selection of the Pharaohs, and without concealing other factors explaining their sluggish performance in competitions in Africa, there is reason to think that the Egyptian team will be over-motivated . In addition, for Mohamed Salah, injured during the last World Cup, the opportunity is great to replay a World Cup being at the top of his game.
An Egyptian selection that may surprise
Compared to the CAN, Carlos Queiroz’s list has undergone some adjustments. First of all, only 23 players were called up, 5 less than during the CAN. But above all we note the return of the excellent playmaker of Al Ahly, Magdy Afsha, a player whose non-selection caused debate in Egypt. Twice crowned African champion with his club, he was voted man of the match in the last two Champions League finals and can be considered one of the best players playing on the continent. His creativity and technical quality can bring another dimension to the robust and organized game of the Egyptian team.
On the other hand, a strong choice was made with the non-selection of Mohamed Sherif, an essential striker from Al Ahly. He had played little during the CAN although the Egyptian attack line did not necessarily weigh much apart from Mohamed Salah. His entry into play, followed by his replacement ten minutes later during extra time against Cameroon in the semi-finals of the CAN, did not go unnoticed. However, Egypt will once again have to deal with the absence of defenders Ahmed Hegazi (Al Ittihad, Saudi Arabia) and Akram Tawfik (Al Ahly, Egypt), both injured during the AFCON.
Senegal, a champion who wants more
“Winning the African Cup of Nations is good; winning the World Cup is better,” said Aliou Cissé during the press conference announcing his list of players selected for the play-offs, a sign that Senegal is not satisfied and does not want to stop there. Now that the status of the best African team in the CAF ranking has been validated by the final victory at the CAN, it is a question of reaching a higher level by being among the representatives of the African continent at the World Cup. Sadio Mané had the same speech during his interview in the columns of France Soccer : “The World Cup is my new dream. But before that, we will have to qualify. I want to believe in somewhat crazy projects and the one that consists of winning the World Cup with Senegal is one of them, ”he said, confirming his ambition.
A Senegalese selection that keeps its edge
Looking at the list of coach Aliou Cissé, we see that he has retained the adage that you do not change a winning team, even if the Marseillais Boubacar Kamara or the Monegasque Sofiane Diop are regularly cited as potential reinforcements. The only major change: the return to selection of side Youssouf Sabaly, who has returned from a long injury and who has found significant playing time on the Betis Sevilla side.
Otherwise, Senegal can count on their winger Ismaïla Sarr, who suffered a hamstring injury in early March and has resumed training with Watford. Once again, his form will be an essential factor in the quality of play that Senegal can provide to defend their chances against the Pharaohs.
Egypt-Senegal: what does the mirror tell us about the qualifiers?
The last clash between the two teams during the World Cup qualifiers dates back to 2002. The two teams had appeared in a real group of death with Algeria, but also Morocco, then considered the favorites to accession to the World Cup, Namibia completing the group.
The two meetings between Senegal and Egypt ended in a goalless draw at the Léopold-Sédar-Senghor stadium in Dakar, and a 1-0 victory for the Pharaohs in Cairo on a goal by Ahmed Hossam Mido. Despite this, the Teranga Lions finished first in their group with 15 points, two more than Egypt and Morocco. They had conceded two small goals in the final phase of the qualifiers, before going to a CAN final and a memorable journey to the quarter-finals during the World Cup which took place in Korea.
Twenty years later, it is allowed to dream, especially since Senegal is this time wearing the crown of African champions.
