Blue sharks out to tear pharaohs apart to raise hopes

On By Littum

Cape Verde © Getty Images

Cape Verde will face Egypt in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers Group C match at the Estádio Nacional de Cabo Verde on Friday.

Kick-off is at 18.00 CET.

CURRENT FORM

The Blue Sharks suffered a 1-0 defeat to Botswana away on October 15 and are winless in their last two matches in Group C after losing both matches as their ambitions to qualify for the Afcon finals a crack.

Cape Verde therefore occupy third place in the group standings and need to defeat Egypt and hope Mauritania beat Botswana to keep their qualification aspirations alive with one game to go.

Meanwhile, Egypt claimed a 1-0 win over Mauritania away on October 15 and are unbeaten in their last six matches across all competitions and are on a four-match winning streak.

As a result, the Pharaohs, who have already qualified for the Afcon finals, sit top of the group standings and a win over Cape Verde would see the North African giants maintain their 100 percent win record in Group C after winning their first four games.

TEAM NEW

Cape Verde have had to make a change to their squad as Tiago Correia, better known as ‘Bebé, has replaced the injured Garry Rodrigues, while Josimar Dias ‘Vozinha’, Dylan Tavares and Patrick Andrade have returned to coach Bubista’s page.

Meanwhile, Egypt will be without the suspended duo of Mahmoud Hassan ‘Trezeguet’ and Marwan Ateya, while Omar Marmoush will also be absent as he will be rested to avoid the risk of injury with the match to be played on artificial turf.

WHAT WAS SAID?

Cape Verdean forward Dailon Livramento

“In the last match day (the two matches against Botswana) things didn’t work out but we have a chance,” Livramento said.

“We know our plan is to qualify for the Afcon finals in 2025, so we have to win these two (last) games.”

Egypt coach Hossam Hassan

“We faced the strongest team (Mauritania) in the group, as shown in Cairo. Mauritania has a talented coach and is becoming a strong contender,” Hassan said.

“The determination of our players and the grace of Allah, combined with the efforts of the coaching staff, ensured our victory.”

HEAD-TO-HEAD

Cape Verde and Egypt have met twice across all competitions. The Pharaohs boast an unbeaten record against the Blue Sharks, recording one win and one draw.

The last time the two teams met Egypt, they secured a 3-0 victory in the 2025 Afcon qualifiers played in Cairo on September 6.