Egypt has secured a place in the second round of the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers after a hard-fought 2-2 draw against Rwanda in Ismailia.
The result, combined with their 1-0 victory in the first leg, ensured a 3-2 aggregate win, confirming their progression in the competition.
The Pharaohs went into the match with a narrow advantage from the first leg in Kigali and were determined to finish the job in front of their home crowd.
Despite dominating large periods of the game, the Egyptian side was tested by a resilient Rwandan team that refused to go down without a fight.
Egypt took the lead, but Rwanda responded strongly, matching them goal for goal and keeping the tie in contention until the final whistle.
However, the home side held firm, and their aggregate advantage ultimately secured their qualification to the next stage.
Showdown with Ghana awaits
With this victory, Egypt now faces a formidable challenge in the second round against Ghana, a team with a rich history in African women’s football.
The two-legged tie, set for October 2025, will determine which nation advances to the final tournament in Morocco.
The Pharaohs will need to build on their performances and raise their level against a well-established Ghanaian side if they hope to secure a spot in the Women’s AFCON.
Their ability to navigate a tricky first-round encounter against Rwanda suggests they have the resilience needed for the battles ahead.
As the qualifiers progress, Egypt’s focus will now shift to preparing for their crucial clash with Ghana, with hopes of taking another step toward securing a place in the continental showpiece.
