Egypt’s fate hangs in the balance in Group 2 of the Africa Cup of Nations, facing Cape Verde, Ghana, and Mozambique. The Pharaohs find themselves in a delicate situation after drawing in their first two matches, intensifying the complexity of their qualification.
Cape Verde leads the group with 6 points, securing qualification and the top spot by defeating both Ghana and Mozambique in the initial two rounds.
Egypt follows in second place with 2 points, while Ghana and Mozambique each hold one point.
Egypt concludes the group stage against Cape Verde, requiring the other match between Ghana and Mozambique to end in a draw for them to advance.
If Mozambique and Ghana draw without goals or with one goal each, and Egypt loses by a single goal, the Pharaohs will advance based on having scored more goals.
The Portuguese coach, Rui Vitoria, led the team to score 4 goals and concede the same number.
In this scenario, Egypt’s goal tally would be 4, with 5 against, resulting in a net total of -1.
Ghana, in the event of a goalless draw, would also have a net total of -1, having scored one goal less than Egypt and conceded one goal fewer.
According to Article 74 of the AFCON regulations, the team with more goals is favored.
A Rare Qualification
Football enthusiasts at the Africa Cup of Nations are in for a thrilling encounter on and off the field.
If Egypt loses 2-1 to Cape Verde and Ghana draws 1-1 with Mozambique, Egypt would secure 2 points with 5 goals scored and 6 goals conceded.
Ghana would have the same tally if their last match ends in a 1-1 draw with Mozambique.
In this scenario, regulations 2.6 and 2.5 of Article 74 would come into play.
A draw between Egypt and Ghana in all aspects would prompt an immediate draw by CAF following the conclusion of the group matches.
The Fair Play rule, applied in other tournaments when points, goals, wins, losses, and draws are tied, will not be considered in this case.
Egypt faces challenging circumstances in Ivory Coast, exacerbated by the confirmed absence of team captain and top scorer, Mohamed Salah, for the crucial match against Cape Verde.
If Egypt advances to the Round of 16, Salah will continue to be sidelined.
Portuguese coach Rui Vitoria must lead the team against Cape Verde without Salah for the first time in the tournament, relying on another player to fill the left-wing position, aiming for a victory that secures Egypt’s progress regardless of the outcome of the match between Egypt and Ghana.
