Mauritania National Football Team vs Egypt National Football Team Prediction, Preview, Lineups, and Team News | AFCON 2025 Qualifiers, October 15, 2024.
The Mauritania National Football Team is set to take on the Egypt National Football Team on October 15, 2024, in a crucial Group C match of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) Qualifiers. Egypt, currently sitting atop the group with a perfect record, will be looking to continue their dominance, while Mauritania will aim to upset the odds on home soil at the Stade Olympique de Nouakchott.
Both teams have their eyes set on AFCON 2025 qualification, and this match could play a pivotal role in determining their fate. Let’s dive into the match preview, including predictions, team news, lineups, and key insights for the highly anticipated showdown.
Match Preview
Mauritania’s Struggles So Far
Mauritania’s campaign has been a mixed bag. They began with a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Botswana on September 7, 2024, but since then, the team has struggled to maintain momentum. A 2-0 loss to Cape Verde on September 10 was followed by another 2-0 defeat at the hands of Egypt on October 5.
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In their most recent match against Egypt, Mauritania’s defense held strong until the 69th minute when Egypt’s Trezeguet broke the deadlock. Despite their effort, Mauritania could only muster one shot on target out of 11 attempts.
Manager Amir Abdou will be eager to turn things around. Abdou, who has been in charge of the national team since 2022, has faced mounting pressure due to Mauritania’s inconsistent form. With the team currently in fourth place in Group C with just three points, Abdou needs to rally his players if they hope to qualify for AFCON 2025.
Mauritania’s recent form leaves much to be desired, as they have won just two of their last 15 matches across all competitions. Moreover, they’ve failed to score in 11 of those games. However, their home form has been more encouraging, with seven wins, two draws, and only one loss in their last 10 home fixtures.
Egypt’s Dominance Without Salah
Egypt comes into the game in excellent form, boasting a perfect record in the AFCON 2025 qualifiers. The Pharaohs, led by manager Hossam Hassan, have won their first three games, scoring nine goals while keeping three clean sheets.
Despite their dominance, Egypt will be without star player Mohamed Salah, who was released early from international duty. Salah’s absence is a significant blow, as he has been the creative engine and primary goal threat for Egypt. However, Hassan remains confident that his squad has enough depth to secure a win.
Egypt’s manager has expressed concerns about Mauritania’s aggressive play style and the artificial pitch at the Stade Olympique de Nouakchott. These factors could make it difficult for Egypt to find their usual rhythm, but the Pharaohs have a strong track record, having won 15 of their last 20 AFCON qualifying matches.
Team News
Mauritania National Football Team
Mauritania may look to make changes after their recent defeats. Centre-back Hassan Houbeib could return to the starting lineup after replacing Lamine Ba at half-time in the last match. Houbeib is expected to form part of a backline that includes Ibrahima Keita, Mohamed Dellahi Yali, and Aly Abeid.
In midfield, Oumar Ngom and Bodda Mouhsine are likely to continue as a double pivot, tasked with breaking up Egypt’s attacks. Up front, Papa Ndiaga Yade and Aboubakar Kamara could lead the attack as Mauritania aims to improve their attacking output.
Egypt National Football Team
Egypt, on the other hand, will likely shuffle their forward line in Salah’s absence. Mostafa Fathy could start on the wing, with Zizo, Ibrahim Adel, and Omar Marmoush providing additional attacking options. The midfield will be anchored by Mohamed Attia, while Rami Rabia, Ahmed Ramadan, and Mohamed Hamdi are expected to form the backline.
Mohamed Abdelmonem is doubtful after being substituted due to injury in the previous match, which could pave the way for Ahmed Eid to start in defense.
Predicted Lineups
Mauritania National Football Team Possible Starting XI
- Goalkeeper: Babacar Diop
- Defense: Ibrahima Keita, Mohamed Dellahi Yali, Hassan Houbeib, Aly Abeid
- Midfield: Oumar Ngom, Bodda Mouhsine, Khassa Thiam, Hacen Koita
- Attack: Papa Ndiaga Yade, Aboubakar Kamara
Egypt National Football Team Possible Starting XI
- Goalkeeper: Mohamed El-Shenawy
- Defense: Ahmed Eid, Rami Rabia, Ahmed Ramadan, Mohamed Hamdi
- Midfield: Mohamed Attia, Mostafa Fathy, Zizo
- Forwards: Ibrahim Adel, Omar Marmoush
Soccerbaba Prediction: Mauritania 1-2 Egypt
Though Egypt comes into the game as favorites, the absence of Salah could hinder their attacking fluidity. Mauritania’s aggressive style and home advantage could pose challenges for the Pharaohs, making this a potentially close contest. A 1-2 win for the away team seems a likely result.
Key Factors to Watch
- Egypt’s defense without Salah: The team must find alternative creative outlets.
- Mauritania’s home advantage: Will the home crowd inspire Mauritania to an upset?
- Midfield battle: Both teams will rely on their midfielders to control the tempo and break up attacks.
Where to Watch Mauritania vs Egypt Live
Fans in the UK can catch the live broadcast of the match on major sports networks or stream it online. For fans outside the UK, check local listings to see which broadcasters are showing the game.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
- When is the Mauritania vs Egypt AFCON 2025 Qualifier match?
- The match will take place on October 15, 2024, at 5 PM UK time.
- Where is the match being played?
- The match is being held at Stade Olympique de Nouakchott, Mauritania.
- Will Mohamed Salah play for Egypt?
- No, Mohamed Salah has been released early from international duty and will not feature in this match.
- What is Mauritania’s current position in the AFCON 2025 qualifiers?
- Mauritania is currently fourth in Group C, with three points from three matches.
- Who is Egypt’s manager?
- Egypt’s current manager is Hossam Hassan.
- What is the head-to-head record between Mauritania and Egypt?
- Egypt has a strong head-to-head record against Mauritania, having won the last encounter 2-0.
- How has Egypt performed in recent AFCON qualifiers?
- Egypt has won their last seven AFCON qualifiers and remains undefeated in this campaign.
- Which players are key to Mauritania’s success?
- Papa Ndiaga Yade and Aboubakar Kamara are two players to watch in Mauritania’s attack.
- What is the predicted result for Mauritania vs Egypt?
- A 1-1 draw is the most likely outcome, given Mauritania’s home advantage and Egypt’s missing players.
- How can I watch the match live?
- You can watch the match live on major sports channels or streaming services. Check local listings for availability.
By focusing on the key matchups and understanding the current form of both teams, this encounter between Mauritania and Egypt promises to be an exciting AFCON 2025 qualifier. Be sure to tune in and catch all the action!
