Photo Credit: Egyptian Football Association
In the final round of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers, Egypt drew 1-1 against Botswana in a match held at the 30 June Stadium in Cairo.
Omaatla Kebatho opened the scoring for Botswana in the 8th minute, giving his team an early lead. However, Egypt responded quickly, with Trezeguet finding the back of the net in the 15th minute to level the score and restore balance to the match.
Egypt previously secured qualification for the Africa Cup of Nations in October, finishing at the top of Group C with 14 points following the November international window. Botswana also qualified, securing second place with 8 points.
Egypt coach Hossam Hassan shakes hands with Botswana counterpart Morena Ramoreboli
Photo Credit: Egyptian Football Association
Hossam Hassan’s perspective on the qualifiers
Head coach Hossam Hassan stated: "I thank Allah for completing the Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers successfully. I am satisfied with the players’ performance throughout the qualifiers. We started the last match with some players, and we introduced others in today’s match. I am happy the players got their chances to participate, and the pool of players for Egypt’s national team has expanded."
Achievements and unbeaten record
Hassan added: "We wished to win today, but I thank Allah we didn’t lose throughout the qualifiers, and that is a positive point. Achieving 14 points, I believe, doesn’t happen often for Egypt in the Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers."
Tough competition and team development
Speaking about the competition, he said: "The qualifiers are not easy in any group. Some strong teams qualified but lost matches along the way, despite their big names. However, we maintained our unbeaten record. The Egyptian national team is developing, and this is what matters most to me. You will see the national team progress from better to best in the major stages."
Regarding friendly matches, Hassan noted: "I had hoped to arrange friendlies against top teams, and I still hope for them, even without the players who play abroad."
Photo Credit: Egyptian Football Association
Comments on Mustafa Shobeir’s participation
Commenting on goalkeeper Mustafa Shobeir, Hassan said: "We have four very high-level goalkeepers. I wanted to involve Mahdi Suleiman, Mohamed Awad, and Mustafa Shobeir. I know Mustafa hasn’t played with Al Ahly due to the technical staff’s preference, and this is the coach’s right at any club, but I wished he had played in one or two matches. However, I feel he trains well. Mohamed Awad delivered outstanding performances with Zamalek in the CAF Super Cup and the league.
"They all have good spirits and supported whoever was chosen to play. I spoke to them all before the match, and everyone agreed to whoever would participate."
He added: "If the result had been good, I had intended to rotate between two goalkeepers during the game. If Shobeir started, Awad would have come on in the second half or the last third, or vice versa. But with these four goalkeepers, we have no worries."
Criticism of the pitch condition
Regarding the pitch, Hassan remarked: "The pitch in today’s match was very, very, very poor. For three days, I trained and felt disappointed with the pitch condition. This affected the players at times, especially in ball control and passing. We don’t play random football; we try to present enjoyable football for the fans with solutions and tactics we work on."
Venue selection challenges
He continued: "We wanted to play this match at Ghazl El Mahalla Stadium or Suez Canal Authority Stadium. I hoped this could happen. We wanted to expand the fan base and give Egyptian fans in these governorates the right to watch us.
"Unfortunately, it didn’t work out because Ghazl El Mahalla Stadium is not approved by FIFA, and Suez Canal Authority Stadium is hosting the North African (UNAF) U-20 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers. I wished we could have played on either of these pitches, even if Cairo International Stadium was available."
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