Egypt's Penalty Push: Third-Place Upset Caps UAE Friendly as AFCON Prep Heats Up
17 November 2025
Match snapshot
Egypt’s national team struggled in the UAE friendly against Cape Verde, drawing 1-1 before sealing third place with a 2-0 victory on penalties at the Al Ain Cup on Monday evening.
Earlier, Egypt had suffered a 2-0 semifinal loss to Uzbekistan, while Cape Verde’s hopes were dashed by Iran in a shootout. The result left Egypt with a sense of gradual progress as they pivot toward their Africa Cup of Nations campaign in Morocco.
The Pharaohs will compete in Group B alongside Zimbabwe, South Africa and Angola, hoping to restore the continental crown last won in 2010.
Key moments
The Emirati referee Rowda Al-Mansouri awarded a penalty in the seventh minute after a contentious foul by Egypt’s right-back Mohamed Hany, with Cape Verde converting early to go ahead.
Egypt failed to respond immediately, and lineup tweaks by coach Hossam Hassan in the second half saw Mohamed Shahat come on for Donja and Osama Faisal replacing Taher as the sides tried to shift momentum.
Omar Marmoush equalized in the 56th minute after a burst of individual play, lifting the mood around the Egyptian camp. A second goal by Egypt was ruled out for a foul on Osama Faisal, sparking protests from the bench and supporters alike.
Late changes brought on Mustafa Shobir to reinforce the defense, while the team continued pressing to find a decisive breakthrough before the final whistle.
Penalties
In the shootout, Egypt’s Hossam Abdul-Majid and Mohamed Hamdi found the net, while Marmoush and Osama Faisal missed. Cape Verde failed to convert any of their attempts, handing Egypt a 2-0 win on penalties.
Despite the victory, the performance left questions about the team’s readiness for tougher tasks, with Mohamed Salah rested and injuries affecting Ahmed Fathy and Ahmed Zizo. Still, the win keeps the squad’s AFCON ambitions alive and signals a new, potentially brighter chapter under the current management.
The broader context remains hopeful: Egypt has reached AFCON finals in 2017 and 2021 but has not lifted the trophy since 2010. The current overhaul is designed to blend experience with youth and sharpen the team’s identity in big games, aiming for a title that would energize a nation hungry for glory.
As the squad continues its build-up, fans are eager to see a more cohesive performance in the remaining friendlies and early qualifiers, with a goal of translating early promise into sustained success at the continent’s flagship tournament.
Hossam Hassan now steers a team balancing seasoned veterans and rising stars, tasked with delivering a sharper attacking identity and greater defensive resilience across the campaign.
Millions of Egyptians remain hopeful that this generation can end the wait and bring the continent’s most storied side back to the pinnacle of African football.
And yes, even the dream of a World Cup finals appearance has its charm: under Hassan, Egypt eye a fourth World Cup berth as part of the broader revival narrative.
Punchline 1: If patience is a virtue, Egypt’s backline must be a saint, because those clean sheets are taking their sweet time arriving—yet the penalties finally paid off.
Punchline 2: In football, the only thing quicker than Marmoush’s run was the referee’s whistle—guess that’s what you call a high-stakes fashion show for goalkeepers and nerves.
