World Cup Qualifying Preview: Egypt – Rwanda

Rwanda are looking to recover from their away loss versus Zambia but will have serious work to do against a resurgent Egyptian side that are desperate to stay within touching distance of group leaders Algeria.

Jul 2, 2009 1:06:11 PM

More On :  Egypt, Rwanda, Egypt vs Rwanda
Egypt Players Celebrate
Kick-off: Sunday, July 5th, 2009 at 18:30 CET.
Cairo International Stadium, Egypt

No More Margin For Error

Egypt began their World Cup qualifying campaign confident that nothing would stop them from securing a spot in South Africa next summer. However, after merely two games, they are on the brink of missing out on the world’s premiere sporting event for a fifth time running.
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What is most shocking about this fact is that the Pharaohs have been the continent’s finest side for the past four years, convincingly winning the last two African Cup of Nations tournaments. However, they started off on the wrong foot against Zambia, limping to a 1-1 draw at home.

The result put extra pressure on them ahead of their North African derby versus Algeria, which they ended up losing 3-1 in Blida. The loss was a tough one to swallow for the proud football nation, especially as the match against their eternal rivals received an immense build-up.

These two results had most onlookers wondering whether Hassan Shehata’s men were even in the right frame of mind to go to South Africa and represent the African continent in the FIFA Confederations Cup. Yet as they often do, the Egyptians rose to the occasion and gave eventual Confederations Cup champions Brazil all they could handle in a thrilling match they lost at the death. Then the Pharaohs beat world champions Italy on the back of Issam El Hadary’s fantastic goalkeeping.

They followed that up by losing out on the semi-finals due to an unexpected 3-0 loss to the United States who, until that point, hadn’t shown anything special in the tournament. Some reports indicated that the players had been distracted by Algeria’s qualifying win in Zambia.

Now the team must regroup if they are to maintain a fighting chance to revisit South Africa next summer as they know a misstep against Rwanda would seal their fate. Even a place in the African Cup of Nations in Angola would be of little consolation to their players and supporters if they were to miss out on the World Cup.

Amavubi Look To Overcome Road Frailty

Although they began the CAF qualifiers with a relatively positive goalless draw versus Algeria at home in Kigali, things have not fallen into place for the Rwandans, who sit at the bottom of the group with that solitary point.

Nevertheless, the game against the North Africans was not an altogether bad one for them as they actually recovered from a shaky start to show some positive signs in the latter stages when their adversaries started to tire in the intense heat.

No one gave the Amavubi a serious chance of doing much in this group. Even their loss to Zambia in their second match was somewhat encouraging in that they fought bravely throughout the encounter and before conceding a late goal.

Unfortunately for them, no points are awarded for effort in football and the defeat has seriously compromised their chances of appearing at their second African Cup of Nations.

The main issue for Rwanda is their incredibly poor road record, a less than encouraging problem considering two of their next three qualifying matches happen to be away from home.

In addition, the aforementioned home match will be played against a battle tested Egyptian side who have already stated their intent of taking maximum points in the remainder of their fixtures. This is a situation where there is certainly cause for concern.

They key for the Rwandans will be to use their physical abilities to frustrate their opponents, who will be in attack mode from the very first minute since they are playing in Cairo. Keeping the score level for an extended period may lead to doubts creeping into the minds of the Pharaohs and a quick counter against an unsuspecting adversary is not out of the question.

Nevertheless, there is little to indicate that such an upset is possible under these conditions.

TEAM NEWS

Egypt

Hassan Shehata will rely primarily on the players who travelled to South Africa to partake in the Confederations Cup, but he has also been forced to make changes to the squad as Ahmed Fathi has pulled out with an injury.

This has forced the trainer to call up talented Zamalek right-back, Hazem Emam, who was called up for his country’s friendly against Oman in recently but did not play. Other additions are that of Ismaily defender Sherif Abdul Fadil and Ihab Al Masri from Arab Contractors.

Squad: Essam El-Hadary, Mahmoud Fathallah, Ahmed Al-Muhammadi, Ahmed Said, Ahmed Khairy, Hani Said, Hosny Abd Rabo, Mohamed Zidan, Ahmed Eid Abdel Malek, Mohamed Shawky, Mohamed Homos, Abdelaziz Tawfik, Sayed Moawad, Ahmed Samir Farag, Wahid, Ahmed Hassan, Ahmed Abdel-Ghani, Wael Gomaa, Raouf, Mohamed Aboutrika, Mohamed Sobhy, Sherif Abdul Fadil, Ihab Al Masri

Rwanda

Rwandan head coach Branko Tucak has a selection dilemma on his hands as Jean Mugiraneza will be missed in midfield due to a one match suspension picked up for two bookings.

Squad: Jean Claude Ndoli, Jean Luc Ndayishimiye, Patrick Rutayisire, Emery Myuyekure, Ismael nshutiyamagara, Bonaventure Hategekimana, Aloua Gaseruke, Alias Ntaganda, Aimable Rucogoza, Donatien Tuyizere, Jean Bosco Uwacu, Arafat Serugendo, Albert Ngabo, Jean Pierre Hakiri, Jamal Mwiseneza, Jean Shyaka, Eric Gasana, Mutesa Mafisango, Haruna Niyonzima, Pekeyake Tuyisenge, Yussuf Ndayishimiye, Abdul Uwimana, Bokota Labama Kabama, Elias Uzamukunda, Said Abed Makasi, Jimmy Gatete

PREDICTION

It’s incredibly difficult to see any other result but an Egypt win in this one. The Rwandans will struggle mightily to match the desperation of their hosts, who will be spurred on by their passionate home fans.

Furthermore, the Amavubi’s record far from Kigali does little to inspire confidence in their ability to pull off what would be the biggest upset in 2010 World Cup qualifying thus far.

Egypt 3-0 Rwanda

Rami Ayari, Goal.com
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