Egypt qualifies for Africa Cup of nations finals
In a thrilling display of skill and determination, Egypt staged a remarkable comeback to defeat Guinea 2-1 on Wednesday, securing their record-extending 26th appearance at the Africa Cup of Nations finals. With one match remaining in the preliminary competition, Egypt’s victory solidified their position atop Group D, guaranteeing them a spot in the 24-team finals set to be hosted in the Ivory Coast next year. Led by captain Mohamed Salah, Egypt showcased their prowess and reinforced their status as a dominant force in African football.
Egypt’s Path to Glory
Despite Salah missing two golden opportunities, goals from Mahmoud Trezeguet and Mostafa Mohamed ensured Egypt’s triumph and secured their place as Group D winners. This victory paves the way for Egypt to vie for the prestigious African crown once again, having previously claimed the title a record seven times. Guinea, who only needed a single point to qualify, initially took the lead through Serhou Guirassy after 27 minutes. However, Salah’s near misses were followed by Trezeguet’s equalizer, and Mohamed sealed the triumph with a powerful strike 11 minutes before the final whistle. Notably, the match took place in Marrakech, Morocco, due to Guinea’s home stadium being deemed unfit for the competition by the Confederation of African Football inspectors.
Group D’s Intrigue
Guinea’s defeat, with a total of nine points, presents a tantalizing opportunity for the other two teams in the group, Ethiopia and Malawi, who will face each other on Tuesday. With three points each, a victory in their upcoming clash could potentially propel either team to snatch the qualifying spot. However, a draw would see Guinea secure their place in the finals, intensifying the suspense surrounding Group D’s outcome.
Gambia’s Determination
Gambia, a team that pleasantly surprised spectators during their debut appearance in the last Cup of Nations finals, demonstrated their determination to return to the prestigious tournament. In a thrilling encounter, Gambia sealed a 3-2 victory over South Sudan with a dramatic last-gasp goal by substitute Hamza Barry, deep into stoppage time. This hard-fought win propelled Gambia to nine points in Group G, sharing the top spot with Mali. The latter will face Congo in Brazzaville on Sunday, setting the stage for a captivating battle for group supremacy.
Guinea Bissau’s Strong Showing
In the enthralling Lusophone derby, Guinea Bissau secured a vital 1-0 victory over Sao Tome e Principe, bolstering their chances of qualifying from Group A. With 10 points from five games, Guinea Bissau holds a one-point lead over Nigeria. A successful bid for a fourth consecutive finals appearance hinges on Sierra Leone failing to defeat Nigeria in their upcoming group game on Sunday. Sao Tome relinquished their home advantage to Guinea Bissau due to their own stadium’s unsuitability for international competition. This defeat further compounded Sao Tome’s woes, as they have conceded a staggering 20 goals in the group stage.
Anticipation Builds
With seven more qualifiers scheduled for the penultimate round of matches on Saturday, the anticipation surrounding the Africa Cup of Nations finals continues to soar. The top two teams from each group will earn their place in the tournament, igniting fierce competition as teams strive to make their mark in January’s finals.
