International Football
Egypt eyeing first back-to-back World Cup appearances
For Egypt, a World Cup qualification has often proved far-fetched. On Tuesday, however, the team will have a chance to make it back-to-back appearances at the football’s most prestigious show piece for the first time ever.
For some reason, Egypt have never been able to match their African dominance when it came to World Cup qualification, but they could go some way into ending that dismal record as they meet Senegal in the second leg of a qualifying playoff in Dakar.
Holding a slender 1-0 advantage from the first leg, Egypt are slight favourites to reach the Qatar finals , but they will have to negotiate a tough tie against the reigning African champions at their new 50,000-seat Abdoulaye Wade stadium.
Although Egypt have a record haul of seven African Nations Cup titles under their belt, they only reached the World Cup three times in 1934, 1990 and 2018.
Out for vengeance after they lost to Senegal on penalties in the Nations Cup final last month, Egypt secured a smash-and-grab win over the Teranga Lions in Cairo last Friday.
An early own goal from defender Saliou Ciss, after some good work from Liverpool talisman Mohamed Salah, proved to be the difference. Egypt then defended doggedly, keeping at bay the likes of Sadio Mane and Ismaila Sarr after Senegal had mounted an onslaught.
Egypt coach Carlos Queiroz — who is targeting a personal glory of leading a team to the World Cup finals for a fifth time after previous successes with South Africa, Iran and Portugal — hailed his team’s fighting spirit, angrily hitting back at those who criticized his cautious game-plan.
The Portuguese implied that repelling Senegal’s attacks was a success on its own, highlighting the quality that Senegal boasts. He said an even more solid performance is needed in the second leg if Egypt are to preserve their advantage.
“It’s a 0-0 World Cup game, everything is open. We need to be more powerful, we need to do it double. We need to defend with 15 or 16 players. We will probably need to fight for our lives in Dakar,” he told a news conference after the first leg.
“History does not talk about those who play better. As we know, Italy played well against Macedonia and they are out of the World Cup.”
To contain Senegal’s threat once again, Queiroz will need his entire backline to be vigilant. However, with his defence depleted, his task will not be simple.
Egypt’s central defensive pair who played the first leg will not be available, with Mohamed Abdel-Moneim ruled out after fracturing his nose in an aerial collision with Mane and Mahmoud El-Wensh suspended after picking up a second yellow card in the qualifiers.
Queiroz called up 33-year-old defender Ali Gabr, who was one of the pillars of the Egypt side that reached the Nations Cup final in 2017, and Ahly’s Rami Rabia to fill the gaps.
Senegal could also have to do without Paris Saint-Germain defender Abdou Diallo, who was taken off in the first half of Friday’s clash after sustaining what appeared to be a groin injury.
-Ahram
Nigeria’s Super Eagles put up a spirited performance but were edged 2-1 by Portugal in an international friendly at the Estádio Dr. Magalhães Pessoa in Leiria on Wednesday night.
The match served as Portugal’s final tune-up ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup in North America and offered the Nigerians a chance to test themselves against one of Europe’s leading sides led by veteran captain Cristiano Ronaldo.
Portugal drew first blood in the 23rd minute when Pedro Neto broke the deadlock, firing past Nigerian goalkeeper Maduka Okoye after a lively opening period in which both teams created opportunities.
The Super Eagles responded positively and were rewarded eight minutes before halftime when striker Akor Adams found the equaliser. The goal capped an impressive Nigerian fightback and ensured the teams went into the break level at 1-1.
Ronaldo, making a rare appearance against Nigeria, started the match and remained on the pitch until the 67th minute. The 41-year-old was given a standing ovation by the home crowd when he was replaced by Gonçalo Ramos.
Portugal made several changes after the interval as coach Roberto Martinez rotated his squad in preparation for the World Cup. Despite the substitutions, the hosts continued to press for a winner.
Their persistence paid off in the 75th minute when Francisco Conceição struck the decisive goal, restoring Portugal’s lead and ultimately securing victory for the European side.
Nigeria battled to find another equaliser in the closing stages but Portugal’s defence held firm to preserve the 2-1 result.
The defeat means Portugal have now won both meetings between the two countries. Their first encounter came in Lisbon in November 2022, when the Portuguese recorded a convincing 4-0 victory in a pre-World Cup friendly.
While the result will disappoint Nigerian supporters, the Super Eagles can take encouragement from their resilient display against one of the teams widely tipped to make a strong impact at the World Cup. Akor Adams’ goal and Nigeria’s competitive showing against a star-studded Portuguese side provided positive signs as the team continues its rebuilding process under the national team set-up.
For Portugal, the victory provides a confidence boost as they head to North America, where they hope their talented midfield and experienced squad can propel them to a successful World Cup campaign.
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Portugal captain Cristiano Ronaldo will be in the starting line-up when the Selecao take on Nigeria in an international friendly match which kicks off in a few minutes tonight.
The 41-year-old forward, who remains a key figure in the Portuguese national team, has been named among the starters as Portugal continue preparations for upcoming competitive fixtures.
Ronaldo’s inclusion is expected to add further excitement to the encounter, with Nigerian fans eager to see one of football’s greatest players in action against the Super Eagles.
The match offers Nigeria another opportunity to test themselves against top European opposition, while Portugal will look to sharpen their squad ahead of future international assignments.
Kick-off is scheduled for later tonight, with both teams expected to field strong line-ups in what promises to be an entertaining contest.
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By Kunle Solaja
Nigeria’s Super Eagles and Portugal will meet for only the second time at the senior level when they clash in an international friendly in Leiria on Wednesday night.
The encounter comes under remarkably similar circumstances to their first meeting in November 2022, when Portugal defeated Nigeria 4-0 in Lisbon just days before the FIFA World Cup in Qatar.
Once again, Portugal are using Nigeria as their final warm-up match before the World Cup. Four years ago, the Portuguese selected the Super Eagles to prepare for a group-stage clash against Ghana, the team that denied Nigeria a place at Qatar 2022.
History appears to be repeating itself. This time, Portugal are preparing for a World Cup opening fixture against the Democratic Republic of Congo, another team that shattered Nigeria’s World Cup ambitions by eliminating the Super Eagles from the qualification race.
The match at the 29,000-capacity Estádio Dr Magalhães Pessoa offers Nigeria an opportunity to avenge the heavy defeat suffered four years ago and test themselves against one of Europe’s strongest sides.
Portugal coach Roberto Martinez has assembled a star-studded squad featuring five-time Ballon d’Or winner Cristiano Ronaldo, Bruno Fernandes, Bernardo Silva, Ruben Dias, Rafael Leão and João Félix.
The Portuguese head into the encounter unbeaten in their last four matches, having recorded victories over the United States and Chile while drawing with Mexico.
Nigeria, under coach Eric Chelle, have also enjoyed an impressive run. Since taking charge 15 months ago, the Franco-Malian tactician has overseen 24 matches and suffered only one defeat in regulation time.
With both teams carrying impressive recent records, Wednesday’s friendly promises to be far more competitive than the scoreline from their last meeting suggests.
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