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Botswana out to upset buoyant Egypt
Didier Gomes da Rosa, coach of Botswana ©Muzi Ntombela/BackpagePix
Monday Sep 09, 2024. 12:32
Botswana will look to cause an upset when they face-off with Egypt in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifier on Tuesday.
Kick-off is at 3:00 pm CAT.
The Group C match is set to take place at the Obed Itani Chilume Stadium in the second largest city in Botswana, Francistown.
The Zebras succumbed to a late 1-0 defeat to Mauritania in their opening Group C match which was played at the Cheikha Ould Boïdiya Stadium in Nouakchott on Saturday.
The draw extended Botswana’s winless run to four matches across all competitions having registered two successive draws and two consecutive defeats.
“We are the little thumb that wants to grow. Against Egypt, we must show progress in the final third and maintain our tempo,” Botswana coach Didier Gomes Da Rosa said.
Meanwhile, Egypt proved too strong for Cape Verde as they won 3-0 in their first Group C game which was played at the Cairo International Stadium in Cairo on Friday.
The win stretched the Pharaohs’ unbeaten run to three matches across all competitions having recorded two wins and one draw which came against Guinea Bissau.
“Cape Verde’s defence marking Mohamed Salah gave freedom to Mohamed Hany and Ahmed Mostafa Zizo to advance, and we utilized that well,” Egypt head coach Hossam Hassan said.
“Despite Cape Verde pushing until the end, we had clear chances up to the last moment, and I was determined to play this way. I asked the players to execute set-piece plays even if they didn’t work out, but fortunately, we managed to score the first goal in that way.
“We overcame all these difficulties and were rewarded for our hard work and for enduring all the pressures.”
Botswana and Egypt have met five times across all competitions and the Pharaohs boast of an unbeaten record against the Zebras having won four games, and drawn one.
Their last meeting ended in a 1-0 win in favour of Egypt in an international friendly match played at the Borg El Arab Stadium in Alexandria in October 2019.
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