Ghana and Egypt, two football powerhouses in Africa, faced each other in a crucial match to determine the first-round qualification for the 2014 World Cup. Despite being formidable teams with a combined total of 11 African championship titles (7 for Egypt and 4 for Ghana), they had only met three times in their history before this encounter.
The most notable clash between the two nations occurred in the 2010 Africa Cup of Nations (CAN) final in Angola, where Egypt emerged victorious. However, Ghana sought revenge in a preparatory match for the 2013 CAN in South Africa, defeating Egypt 3-0. Their first encounter in 2009 ended in a 2-2 draw in a friendly.
Ghana had showcased impressive performances in the previous two World Cups, reaching the Round of 16 in 2006 and the quarter-finals in 2010. The team, featuring stars like Andre Ayew, Sulley Muntari, and Michael Essien, aimed to qualify for a third consecutive World Cup.
On the other side, Egypt, holding the best record in African football, had been a dominant force during the qualifiers, winning all six matches. Despite their remarkable achievements in African football, the Pharaohs had not qualified for the World Cup since 1990, and a generation of talented players, including Mohamed Abou Treika, Wael Gomaa, and Hosni Rabo, were eager to make it to the global stage before retiring.
The match was also an opportunity to showcase a new generation of talented players, with Mohamed Salah emerging as a worthy successor to Abou Treika, along with Mohamed El Nenny and Shikabala.
The encounter held significant importance for both teams, and the outcome would determine which nation would progress to the next stage of the World Cup qualification process.
