Mauritania Vs Egypt

Egypt’s flawless Africa Cup of Nations 2025 qualifying record faces a new challenge as they prepare to take on Mauritania at Stade Cheikha Ould Boidiya on Tuesday in Group C. The Pharaohs, currently leading the group with nine points from their first three matches, will be aiming to maintain their momentum. However, they will have to do so without their star player, Mohamed Salah, who has been released early from international duty. Meanwhile, Mauritania finds itself at the bottom of the group, sitting in fourth place with just three points from their opening matches.

Overview of the Match

The match is crucial for both sides, though for very different reasons. For Egypt, it’s an opportunity to secure their place at the top of Group C and continue their unbeaten run in the qualifiers. On the other hand, Mauritania will be looking to revive their campaign, especially after their 2-0 defeat to the same opponents just days earlier. The stakes are high, with both teams having different aspirations: Egypt seeking to solidify their status as a powerhouse of African football, and Mauritania eager to show they can compete with the continent’s elite.

Mauritania’s Struggles and AFCON Ambitions

Mauritania’s qualification journey began on a positive note when they secured a 1-0 victory over Botswana in their opening match on September 7. This result briefly lifted hopes that the team might build on their recent appearances at the Africa Cup of Nations, having qualified for the tournament three times in a row. However, their momentum faltered in their next two games. A 2-0 defeat to Cape Verde on September 10 was followed by another 2-0 loss to Egypt last Friday.

While Mauritania was able to hold out against Egypt for nearly 70 minutes in their last match, Trezeguet’s opener in the 69th minute broke their resistance. The Lions of Chinguetti offered little in the way of attacking threat, managing just one shot on target from a total of 11 attempts. This lack of potency in front of goal has been a recurring issue for the team.

Under the leadership of manager Amir Abdou, who took charge of the national team in 2022, Mauritania has experienced mixed results. Abdou’s tenure has been marked by inconsistency, with the team managing just two wins, three draws, and 10 defeats in their last 15 matches. Worryingly, they have scored in just four of those games, underscoring their struggles in front of goal. Despite this, Abdou will be under pressure to guide Mauritania to another AFCON qualification, given the country’s recent participation in the tournament.

Mauritania’s home form has been equally erratic. While they have won four of their last eight home matches, they have also suffered four defeats. On a more positive note, they have won seven of their last 10 home games overall, losing just once. This suggests that when playing on home soil, Mauritania can be a difficult side to beat. However, replicating that form against a team of Egypt’s caliber will be a significant challenge.

Egypt’s Form and Tactical Concerns

Egypt enters this match in superb form, having won all three of their qualifying matches so far. However, they will have to navigate the challenge of facing Mauritania without Mohamed Salah, their talismanic forward. Salah, who has been a key figure for both Egypt and Liverpool, was released from international duty early, with manager Hossam Hassan citing the need to rest the player ahead of the club season. There have also been rumors that Salah himself requested to be excused from the fixture, though this remains unconfirmed.

In the build-up to the game, Hassan has expressed concerns about the conditions in Mauritania. The hosts’ aggressive style of play, combined with the artificial surface at Stade Cheikha Ould Boidiya, has raised worries about the physical toll the match could take on his players. Despite these concerns, Hassan will be expecting his team to continue their dominant run in the qualifiers.

The Pharaohs have been impressive in recent games, winning their last three matches while scoring nine goals and keeping three clean sheets. Their solid defense, combined with their attacking prowess, has made them one of the favorites to not only qualify for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations but to go deep into the tournament itself. Egypt has finished as runners-up in two of the last four editions of the AFCON, and they will be hoping that this qualifying campaign sets the stage for another strong performance in the tournament proper.

In addition to their recent form, Egypt boasts an exceptional record in AFCON qualifiers. They have won their last seven matches in the competition, and over their last 20 qualifiers, they have emerged victorious 15 times, with four draws and just one defeat. This level of consistency has established Egypt as one of the most formidable teams in Africa, and they will be confident of extending their winning streak on Tuesday.

Key Players to Watch

Although Salah’s absence is a blow for Egypt, they still have a number of players capable of making an impact. Trezeguet, who opened the scoring in the previous match against Mauritania, will be one to watch. The versatile winger has been a key player for Egypt in recent years and will be expected to step up in Salah’s absence. Other players, such as Mahmoud Hamdi, who has been solid in defense, and Mostafa Mohamed, who has been in good form in front of goal, will also be crucial if Egypt is to maintain their perfect record.

For Mauritania, much will depend on their ability to tighten up defensively and find a way to break down Egypt’s formidable backline. Striker Aboubakar Kamara will need to be at his best if Mauritania is to have any chance of scoring. Kamara, who plays his club football for Greek side Aris Thessaloniki, is one of the few players in the Mauritanian squad with experience playing at a high level in Europe. If he can find his form, he may be able to trouble Egypt’s defense.

Manager Amir Abdou will also need to devise a game plan that allows his team to compete physically without losing discipline. In their last match against Egypt, Mauritania struggled to create clear-cut chances, and they will need to improve in this area if they are to have any hope of securing a result.

The Road Ahead for Both Teams

For Egypt, a win on Tuesday would all but guarantee their place in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, allowing them to shift their focus to preparations for the tournament. With a rich history in the competition, having won the AFCON a record seven times, Egypt will be hoping to add another title to their collection. Their recent form suggests they are well-equipped to do so, but they will need to ensure they maintain their focus throughout the rest of the qualifying campaign.

Mauritania, meanwhile, faces a more uncertain future. While they are not yet out of contention for qualification, another defeat could make their path to the AFCON much more difficult. With just three points from their first three games, they will need to start picking up results if they are to avoid missing out on the tournament for the first time since 2017.

Conclusion

Tuesday’s match between Mauritania and Egypt is a critical one for both teams, though for very different reasons. Egypt, sitting at the top of Group C, will be aiming to maintain their perfect record and move one step closer to securing their place at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations. Mauritania, on the other hand, will be desperate to bounce back from their recent defeats and keep their qualification hopes alive.

Despite missing Mohamed Salah, Egypt remains the clear favorite heading into the match, thanks to their recent form and strong record in AFCON qualifiers. However, Mauritania’s home form offers them a glimmer of hope, and if they can tighten up defensively and find a way to threaten Egypt’s defense, they may yet be able to cause an upset.

As both teams prepare to battle it out at Stade Cheikha Ould Boidiya, the match promises to be a fascinating encounter between two sides with very different trajectories. Whether Egypt can continue their dominance, or Mauritania can reignite their qualifying campaign, remains to be seen. What is certain, however, is that Tuesday’s match will have significant implications for the rest of the Africa Cup of Nations 2025 qualifying campaign.