Blue Sharks out to tear Pharaohs apart to boost hopes

Cape Verde will square off with Egypt in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualification Group C match at the Estádio Nacional de Cabo Verde on Friday.

Kick-off is at 6pm CAT.

CURRENT FORM

The Blue Sharks suffered a 1-0 defeat to Botswana away on 15 October and they are winless in their last two matches in Group C having lost both matches as their ambitions of qualifying for the Afcon finals took a knock.

Therefore, Cape Verde are occupying the third spot in the group standings and they need to defeat Egypt, and hope that Mauritania beat Botswana in order to keep their qualification ambitions alive with one match left.

Meanwhile, Egypt claimed a 1-0 victory over Mauritania away on 15 October and they are undefeated in their last six matches across all competitions, and they are on a four-match winning streak.

As a result, the Pharaohs, who have already qualified for the Afcon finals, are placed at the top of the group standings and a win over Cape Verde would see the North African giants maintain their 100 per cent win record in Group C having won their first four matches.

TEAM NEWS

Cape Verde have had to make a change in their squad as Tiago Correia, who is better known as 'Bebé, has replaced the injured Garry Rodrigues, while Josimar Dias 'Vozinha', Dylan Tavares and Patrick Andrade have returned to coach Bubista's side.

Meanwhile, Egypt will be without the suspended duo of Mahmoud Hassan ‘Trezeguet’ and Marwan Ateya, while Omar Marmoush will also be absent as he will be rested to avoid the risk of injury with the match set to be played on artificial turf.

WHAT WAS SAID?

Cape Verde forward Dailon Livramento

"In the last matchday (the two games against Botswana), things didn't work out, but we have a chance," Livramento said.

"We know that our plan is to qualify for the 2025 Afcon finals, so we have to win these two [last] games."

Egypt coach Hossam Hassan

"We faced the strongest team (Mauritania) in the group, as shown in Cairo. Mauritania has a talented coach and is becoming a strong contender," Hassan said.

"The determination of our players and Allah's grace, combined with the coaching staff's efforts, secured our victory."

HEAD-TO-HEAD

Cape Verde and Egypt have met twice across all competitions. The Pharaohs boast of an undefeated record against the Blue Sharks having recorded one win and one draw.

The last time the two teams met Egypt secured a 3-0 win in the 2025 Afcon qualifier played in Cairo on 6 September.