Egypt has officially booked its spot at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) after a hard-fought 1-0 victory against Mauritania on Tuesday. The Pharaohs needed only a draw in Nouakchott to confirm their qualification for the prestigious tournament, but they went a step further, clinching all three points thanks to a stunning late goal by Ibrahim Adel.
Adel’s moment of brilliance came in the dying minutes of the match, as he collected the ball deep inside Egypt’s half and, noticing Mauritania’s goalkeeper out of position, unleashed a spectacular long-range strike. The ball sailed over the goalkeeper and into the back of the net, securing Egypt’s place in Morocco for the upcoming AFCON tournament.
Reflecting on his match-winning goal, Adel expressed his excitement: “I was so lucky to score that beautiful goal. I saw the goalkeeper off his line and decided to hit it, and it went in. I am very happy with the victory and the qualification for the AFCON. We haven’t achieved anything yet, but I believe the future is bright for the national team.”
This victory solidifies Egypt’s dominance in Group B, as they top the group with 12 points. Notably, this marks the first time in the Pharaohs’ history that they have won four consecutive matches in the AFCON qualifiers, further reinforcing their status as one of Africa’s football powerhouses.
Hossam Hassan, Egypt’s national team manager, was full of praise for his squad after the match. “I would like to thank my players for their great determination to win the match,” he said. “It is not easy to come here and get the three points. We faced a strong team with an excellent coach, and I wish them the best in the remaining matches of the qualifiers.”
Mauritania, meanwhile, continues to struggle in the qualifiers. They sit at the bottom of the group table alongside Cape Verde, with both teams having just three points. Despite their poor run of form, Mauritania still has two matches left to turn their fortunes around, starting with a crucial away match against Botswana next month.
Botswana, currently second in the group with six points, has revived its hopes of qualifying for AFCON for only the second time in the country’s history. Back-to-back victories over Cape Verde have propelled them into contention, and a win against Mauritania could see them take a significant step toward realizing their dream of participating in Africa’s premier football tournament.
Cape Verde, like Mauritania, has had a disappointing campaign but will look to salvage their chances in the remaining two matches. The next round of qualifiers in November promises to be decisive for the teams still battling for a spot in the AFCON finals.
The 2025 AFCON, scheduled to take place in Morocco, is shaping up to be one of the most highly anticipated tournaments in recent years. With Egypt now officially in the mix, the Pharaohs will be looking to add to their record seven AFCON titles and continue their legacy as the most successful team in the competition’s history.
Leave a comment