Akwa backs Angola to hold Egypt to a draw in 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier

Former Angola international Fabrice Alcebiades, known as Akwa, expects his country to earn a positive result against Egypt in the opening round of 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying.

Egypt host Angola on Friday, with both sides viewed by Akwa as the leading contenders in a group also containing Malawi and South Sudan.

“This is one of the most important and exciting matches in the group,” Akwa told FilGoal.com. “Egypt and Angola have history and tradition in African football, so every point will matter.”

Egypt will have home advantage and the support of their fans, but Akwa believes Angola must show ambition rather than simply defend.

“We have to respect Egypt, while also respecting our own ability and what we can do,” he said. “I expect a very competitive and balanced game, which will be decided by small details. Angola must be focused from the first minute because Egypt can punish every mistake.”

Akwa identified Angola’s physical strength, individual quality and ability to attack quickly in transition as key assets. He also highlighted the international experience gained by several players in recent years.

However, he warned Angola must prevent Egypt from controlling possession, exploiting space and benefiting from unnecessary mistakes or free-kicks near the penalty area.

“We need to play intelligently for the entire 90 minutes,” he said.

Akwa faced Egypt at the 1996 Africa Cup of Nations in South Africa, when Angola made their first appearance at the tournament. Egypt won 2-1, with Ahmed El Kass scoring twice and Quinzinho replying for Angola. Akwa suffered a knee injury in the first half and was unable to continue in the competition.

Egypt’s current team is different from the one he faced, he said, reflecting the development of football and the greater international experience of the country’s players. But one quality remains unchanged.

“There is a mixture of experienced players and a new generation,” Akwa said. “But Egyptian football’s character has not changed. Egypt still knows how to compete.”

He warned Angola not to focus solely on Mohamed Salah, despite describing the forward as a player of “enormous quality”. Salah began a new stage of his career at Trabzonspor after nine exceptional years with Liverpool, but remains one of Egypt’s leading players.

“Egypt is much bigger than one player,” Akwa said. “The best way to limit a great player is to reduce the time and space he has to think and execute. That requires the whole team to provide cover, not just one player marking him.”

Akwa declined to single out an Angolan match-winner, instead calling for collective responsibility. He said emerging players with courage, speed and the ability to operate in tight spaces could change the game.

His prediction is a 1-1 draw. He said the group’s winner would be decided by consistency across all six matches, rather than the opening fixture.

The Egyptian Football Association has set ticket prices for the matches against Angola and South Africa, with 40,000 supporters permitted at each game: 20 Egyptian pounds for third class, 50 for second class, 150 for first class and 300 for the executive box.

The 2027 Africa Cup of Nations will take place in Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda from 19 June to 17 July 2027.