TANGIER, Morocco — Rogerio Micale, the head coach of Egypt’s U-23 team, expressed the team’s strong desire to qualify for the Olympics and successfully defend their title.
Egypt secured passage into the semi-finals after a hard-fought 2-0 victory over Gabon in a match played at the Ibn-Batouta Stadium in Tangier.
Two late goals in a nervy finish by the defending champions saw them through to the last four, courtesy of goals by Mahmoud Hassan and Osama Abdelhady, setting up a mouth-watering semi-final clash against Group A runners-up, Guinea.
The defending champions clinched their place in the knockout stage by finishing atop Group B with an impressive seven points, following two victories and a draw.
During the post-match press conference, head coach Micale expressed the team’s strong desire to qualify for the Olympics and successfully defend their title. “Our priority remains to retain the trophy,” affirmed Micale.
Reflecting on their 2-0 victory against a 10-man Gabon team, Micale acknowledged the opponents’ solid organization. However, he commended his team for maintaining momentum and scoring two goals in the final 10 minutes of the match.
“Our triumph is well-deserved due to the hard work put in by the team. I urged my players to stay organized, and the goals eventually came,” stated Micale, who also congratulated his team for advancing to the next stage.
The Egyptian U-23 coach expressed excitement over his team’s impressive record of three goals scored and none conceded after two matches.
Looking ahead to the semi-final stage, Micale recognized the challenges they would face against formidable opponents Guinea. “Undoubtedly, the semi-finals will be more intense, and Guinea will prove to be tough adversaries,” he added.
In their opening match, Egypt was held to a goalless draw by Niger. However, Micale’s team rebounded with a 1-0 victory against Mali.
As Egypt continues their quest to defend the title, Coach Micale and his players are determined to give their all and secure another triumph in the tournament.
Needing just a draw to advance further, Egypt cautiously approached the match against a spirited Gabon side, who had their pride to play for after losing their matches against Mali and Niger.
Abdelhady had a golden opportunity to find the lead as early as the 6th minute after doing well to beat his marker from a long ball from the back, finding himself one-on-one with the keeper but sailing his effort over the bar.
The striker was back in the picture minutes later, applying pressure to the keeper whose attempted clearance came off the striker but couldn’t make its way into the back of the net.
Gabon eventually found their rhythm and looked more comfortable on the ball as the game progressed.
Edlin Matouti, who was key in Gabon’s attacks, was unlucky not to connect with a well-taken cross by Jeremie Moussango after his cross was flicked away from the oncoming Matouti in the 30th minute.
The speedy forward remained a nuisance and almost broke the deadlock just a minute later after skinning Hossam Abdelsalam to unleash a left-footed strike that was saved by the keeper.
Coming into the second half, Egypt came out as a much more determined side as they pressed forward for the opener but were met by a highly resolute Gabonese defense that put up a good fight.
The lead was almost found by the North Africans just after the hour mark after their skipper and playmaker, Ibrahim Mohamed, showed class in an attempted flick over the keeper but was unlucky to see his effort saved.
The skipper was instrumental in another move in the 73rd minute after his defense-splitting pass made its way to Abdelhady, who fired straight into the keeper.
Egypt finally broke the deadlock in the 82nd minute after a cleverly taken corner by substitute Moustafa Sayed was perfectly teed up for Mahmoud Hassan, who fired home from the edge of the box to give his side the much-needed lead.
With minutes left to play, Abdelhady put the cherry on top for Egypt through a well-taken spot-kick after the troublesome Sayed was fouled in the box.
The victory meant the defending champions march into the semi-finals without conceding a goal in their group matches.
