Impressive pharaohs destroy blue sharks

Ibrahim Adel © GBackpagePix

Egypt defeated Cape Verde 3-0 in their opening match of qualifying Group C for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) at the Cairo International Stadium on Friday evening.

With this result, the Pharaohs started their qualifying campaign with a convincing win and will look to add another victory when they face Botswana in Francistown on Tuesday.

The Blue Sharks, on the other hand, are licking their wounds after the embarrassing defeat and are determined to get back on track when they play against Mauritania in Praia on Tuesday.

The Pharaohs controlled the game from the start and took a deserved lead in the 23rd minute when Rami Rabia headed in Zizo's cross from the right to give Egypt a 1-0 lead.

The hosts continued their attacks even after taking the lead and led 2-0 at half-time after Omar Marmoush slotted the ball into the net in first-half stoppage time following a pass from Mostafa Mohamed.

Even after the break, Egypt continued to put pressure on the Blue Sharks' defense and in the 70th minute, Ibrahim Adel scored to make it 3-0 for the home team, while the Cape Verde defense was unprotected.

The Blue Sharks launched late attacks in an attempt to score a consolation goal, but the Pharaohs were determined to finish the game clean and Egypt ultimately emerged 3-0 winners on the night.

Egypt (2) 3 (Rabia 23', Marmoush 45'+1, Adel 70')

Cape Verde 0

EGYPT XI: El Shenawy, Trezeguet (M. Fathi 66'), Hamdi (Kouka 79'), Rabia (Ramadan Mohamed 80'), Zizo (Adel 66'), Attia, Marmoush, Salah, Hany, Fathi, Mohamed (Elneny 50') .

CAPE VERDE XI: Varela, Moreira, Costa, Lopes, Paulo, Andrade (L. Duarte 46'), Lenini, D. Duarte (Varela 64'), Semedo (G. Andrade 76'), Livramento (Benchimol 46'), Mendes (D. Tavares 72').