Hossam Hassan warning for AFCON qualifiers

by Staff Reporter

Saturday Jul 06, 2024. 10:05

Egypt coach Hossam Hassan has warned that his side cannot expect an easy path in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.

The draw for the group stage of the qualifiers was conducted in Johannesburg on Thursday, with the Pharaohs placed in a group alongside Cape Verde, Mauritania and Botswana.

Egypt, as seven-time AFCON champions, are naturally favoured to be one of the two teams which progress from the group to secure qualification for the finals.

However, Cape Verde and Mauritania represent two rising forces in African football and the Pharaohs cannot take anything for granted.

Egypt faced Cape Verde in the group stage of the 2023 AFCON. The game ended in a 2-2 draw, which granted Cape Verde the top spot in the group in one of the biggest surprises of the competition.

Mauritania also had its share of glory in the previous AFCON, as they defeated the 2019 champions, Algeria 1-0 in the final round of the group stage, marking their first-ever progression beyond the first round.

“Football in Africa is improving and we will play against good teams but we are ready for the qualifiers. We want to reach the AFCON and fight for the title,” noted Hossam Hassan.

The Pharaohs legends won three AFCON titles during an international playing career that spanned 21 years.

The AFCON qualifiers are scheduled to begin in September and it will conclude in November.