Zebras target first-ever Pharaohs victory

Botswana will take on Egypt in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) qualification group C match at the Obed Itani Chilume Stadium in Francistown on Tuesday.

Kick-off is at 3:00 pm CAT.

CURRENT FORM

The Zebras succumbed to a late 1-0 defeat to Mauritania in their opening group C match which was played at the Cheikha Ould Boïdiya Stadium in Nouakchott on Saturday.

The draw extended Botswana's winless run to four matches across all competitions, having registered two successive draws and two consecutive defeats.

Meanwhile, Egypt proved too strong for Cape Verde as they won 3-0 in their first group C game which was played at the Cairo International Stadium in Cairo on Friday.

The win stretched the Pharaohs' unbeaten run to three matches across all competitions, having recorded two wins and one draw against Guinea Bissau.

TEAM NEWS

Botswana will be monitoring their first-choice goalkeeper Goitseone Phoko who picked up an injury but stayed on the field during the match against Mauritania

Egypt, on the other hand, have added Ahmed Eid to their squad after Mostafa Mohamed and Omar Marmoush picked up injuries during the game against Cape Verde.

WHAT WAS SAID?

Egypt head coach Hossam Hassan:

“Cape Verde’s defence marking Mohamed Salah gave freedom to Mohamed Hany and Ahmed Mostafa Zizo to advance, and we utilised that well," Hassan said.

“Despite Cape Verde pushing until the end, we had clear chances up to the last moment, and I was determined to play this way.

"I asked the players to execute set-piece plays even if they didn’t work out, but fortunately, we managed to score the first goal in that way," the retired striker added.

"We overcame all these difficulties and were rewarded for our hard work and for enduring all the pressures."

HEAD-TO-HEAD

Botswana and Egypt have met five times across all competitions and the Pharaohs boast of an unbeaten record against the Zebras, having won four games, and drawn one.

Their last meeting ended in a 1-0 win in favour of Egypt in an international friendly match played at the Borg El Arab Stadium in Alexandria in October 2019.