Egypt’s U-20 football team marked a fresh chapter under new head coach Rogério Micale with a goalless draw in a friendly against Tanzania. The match, held as part of their preparation for the upcoming U-20 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers, was a chance for Micale to assess his squad’s depth and versatility ahead of the North African qualifiers scheduled to begin on 14 November.
The Brazilian coach, appointed just three weeks ago, fielded two different lineups across the match’s two halves, giving players the opportunity to showcase their skills in various roles.
Despite dominating much of the game, Egypt struggled to convert their chances, highlighting areas for improvement in their offensive play.
The starting lineup for the Pharaohs featured Hazem Gamal in goal, shielded by a defense line comprising Mohamed Ibrahim, Abdallah Boustongi, Moataz Mohamed, and Mahmoud Labib.
In the midfield, Ahmed Khaled, also known as “Kabaka,” was joined by Mohamed El-Sayed and Fares Khaled, who worked to maintain control of possession and build attacking plays.
Up front, Hossam Hassan, Mohamed Zallouk, and Omar Khadr led the charge, aiming to test the Tanzanian defense.
Egypt controlled the tempo in the opening half, with several attempts to break the deadlock, but lacked the precision needed in the final third.
Despite maintaining steady pressure, the team struggled to find the back of the net.
In the second half, Micale rotated his lineup to observe other players in action.
Ahmed Wahb took over as goalkeeper, while Ahmed Abdeen, Ziad Khaled, Mohamed Samir, and Mahmoud Labib formed a refreshed defensive unit.
The midfield trio consisted of Seif Essam, Ahmed Eid, and Marwan Khaled, while Ahmed Sharaf, Omar Fathy, and Mohannad Mohamed took on attacking duties in the hopes of creating a breakthrough.
The Pharaohs continued to dominate possession in the second half and created multiple opportunities to score, yet were unable to capitalize.
Tanzania’s defense remained resilient, ultimately holding the Egyptians to a scoreless draw.
Present at the match were Helmy Mashhour, a board member, and executive director Walid El-Attar, who observed the team’s performance and Micale’s tactical approach in this early stage of preparation.
The friendly served as a preliminary test for Egypt’s U-20 squad as they gear up for the North African qualifiers, set to take place from 14 to 26 November.
The tournament, which will feature teams from Morocco, Tunisia, Algeria, and Libya, is a critical stage in the lead-up to the U-20 AFCON.
While the draw against Tanzania highlighted some promising moments, the Egyptian squad will need to sharpen their finishing abilities as they face increasingly competitive opponents.
Micale’s immediate focus will be on refining their attacking efficiency and ensuring a cohesive defensive structure to enhance their chances in the qualifiers.
As Egypt seeks to secure a spot in the U-20 AFCON, the team’s performance in the coming weeks will be crucial in determining how far they can progress under their new head coach.
