Angola forward Mabululu sends warning to Egypt ahead of crucial AFCON qualifier

Angola forward Mabululu has sent a warning to Egypt ahead of their crucial 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier, insisting that his extensive experience of Egyptian football could give the Palancas Negras valuable insight before the encounter.

Angola are set to face Egypt in their opening AFCON 2027 qualifying fixture, with both sides looking to make a strong start to their campaign.

Mabululu knows Egyptian football particularly well, having spent five years playing in the country. His experience has given him an understanding of the stadiums, players and the influence of supporters, knowledge he believes could be useful against the Pharaohs.

“Yes, I played in Egypt for five years, and I know everything about Egyptian football, from the stadiums and the impact of the fans’ attendance and the players,” Mabululu said ahead of the match.

The Angola forward, however, believes the team’s preparations will not depend solely on his knowledge of Egyptian football. He has backed head coach Elio Cisse to study the Pharaohs closely and identify areas that Angola can exploit.

“But coach Elio Cisse has a lot of experience, and he can read the game and identify the strengths and weaknesses of the Egyptian national team,” he added.

Mabululu also revealed that he has not contacted any of his former Egyptian teammates ahead of the match, stressing that Angola are concentrating entirely on their own preparations rather than seeking additional information from their opponents.

“I haven’t spoken to any Egyptian player who was my friend here in Egypt, because we are only focused on ourselves,” he concluded.

With his familiarity with Egyptian football and Cisse’s tactical experience, Mabululu believes Angola can approach the encounter with confidence as they prepare to challenge Egypt on home soil.

The match will be particularly significant for Mabululu, who will return to a country where he spent a considerable part of his career, but this time with the responsibility of helping Angola secure a positive result in their opening AFCON 2027 qualifier.