Egypt dominates Botswana 4-0 in Africa Cup qualifiers
- Egypt defeated Botswana 4-0 in their Africa Cup of Nations qualifying match.
- Mohamed Salah and Mahmoud Hassan were key players, with Salah scoring and assisting.
- Egypt leads Group C with six points after two matches, showcasing their strong performance.
On matchday two of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying, Egypt showcased their dominance with a convincing 4-0 victory over Botswana in Francistown. The match was particularly challenging for Botswana, who faced travel difficulties, arriving just seven hours before kickoff from Mauritania. Egypt's captain, Mohamed Salah, played a pivotal role, contributing to the team's early lead with a shot that was parried, allowing Mahmoud Hassan, known as Trezeguet, to score within the first four minutes. Trezeguet doubled the lead before halftime, and Salah added to the scoreline shortly after the break, tapping in a cross that evaded multiple defenders. Mostafa Fathy sealed the rout in added time, ensuring Egypt's position at the top of Group C with six points, following their earlier 3-0 win against Cape Verde. This performance highlighted Egypt's strength in the qualifiers, as they aim for another successful campaign in the prestigious tournament. Other matches on the same day saw mixed results for other African teams. South Africa managed a dramatic 3-2 win against South Sudan, while Nigeria was held to a goalless draw by Rwanda, despite being significantly higher in the world rankings. The results reflect the competitive nature of the qualifiers, with teams like Rwanda showing commendable energy and commitment. As the qualifiers progress, Egypt's strong start positions them favorably, while other teams will need to regroup and strategize for their upcoming fixtures to improve their standings in the tournament.