World

Africa

Egypt

Fair enough!!

October 22nd, 2008 | By: Tamim | 18 Comments »

So we get Algeria, Rwanda and Zambia; pretty good and balanced group for us, in fact it maybe the best world cup qualification group ever for Egypt which make our chances to make it to the world cup very high.

It could have been easier if we had Guinea, Mozambique and Gabon; but it also could have been harder if we had Tunisia and Togo in our group.

Before the draw we hoped for avoiding north African teams because they are very stubborn against us and our history with them in world cup qualifications is very bad; but it was inevitable because our chances to avoid them was 40%.

Anyway, we should be thankful it was Algeria not Tunisia or morocco who are in a better form and a great threat to us now with all respect to Algeria’s history.

Here are the groups:
Group A: Togo, Cameroon, Morocco, Gabon (very tough one)
Group B: Mozambique, Nigeria, Kenya, Tunisia (eagles’ fight)
Group C: Rwanda, Algeria, Egypt, Zambia
Group D: Ghana, Benin, Sudan, Mali (congratulations Ghana)
Group E: Côte d’Ivoire, Malawi, Burkina Faso, Guinea (felecitations les elephants!!)

Group analysis

Algeria: since the last time we met Algeria in CAN 2004 in Tunisia our north African rival brothers’ didn’t make a single appearance in an big tournament because of inner troubles; however they made it this time and are ready to rumble with us for the ticket to south Africa.

We can be optimistic because he last time we went to the world cup was through Algeria in Cairo stadium with Hossam Hassan’s goal

we can also be pessimistic because they one of the reasons we didn’t qualify to 2002’s world cup after the famous match in Algeria where we were thrown with stones and forced to a draw 1-1 and lost the ticket to Senegal

no matter how bad they are they play against us as if it is their last match ever, they put all what they got in the field, use legal and illegal ways in playing (killing time, rough tackles….etc); the most important thing is that they beat Egypt.

Look what one Algerian fan said commenting on the group on FIFA’s site: “The only thing I am sure of is: neither Egypt nor Algeria will qualify to the world cup. Algeria doesn’t have the level to play world cup. Egypt, Algerians won’t let them qualify.”

!!!!!!!!

I am happy we have a North African team and I am planning to attend it in the stadium because derbies like this can’t be missed.

Zambia: something seems to be wrong between us and Zambia; although we are a better side than them and we have a far better history we can’t beat them and if we do it is very difficult.

Last time we met them was in Ghana and we got a 1-1 draw with them; though, this time we should take things seriously and finish things early.

I think the team didn’t improve much since this match and as far as I know they don’t have super stars in their squad; it should be easy but we have o be careful

Rwanda: all I know about them is that they took first place from morocco in their group in the past stage; however, it doesn’t mean anything because I know morocco wasn’t taking it seriously at this level just like all big teams did.

Rather than that I don’t know anything about them

We have a great chance and we don’t want to waste it, so PLEASEEEEEE don’t waste it.

matches’ schedule

Egypt – Zambia 28/3/2009
Algeria – Egypt 6/6/2009
Egypt – Rwanda 20/6/2009
Rwanda –Egypt 5/9/2009
Zambia – Egypt 10/10.2009
Egypt – Algeria 14/11/2009

Best wishes for all Arab teams and i wish that as much Arab teams as possible can make it to the world cup and if we could make it with Algeria it would have been perfect but unfortunately we can’t.

Tags: algeria, egypt, hassan shehata, mido, morocco, rwanda, south africa 2010, sudan, Team News, tunisia, world cup, Zaki, zambia

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Comments

By Rami | October 22nd, 2008 at 12:13 pm

You summed it up perfectly Tamim. Very manageable group which gives you your best chance to qualify in quite some time. I’m glad I won’t have to root against you since we’re in different groups I’ll be following your results very closely. Best of luck!

Posted from United States

By Mo | October 22nd, 2008 at 1:04 pm

I like our group… Manageable but still wont be easy… We need to be focused. I think Mali could pull an upset and get in instead of Ghana though… And Cameroon have a tough group

Posted from United States

By Tamim | October 22nd, 2008 at 2:45 pm

mo: ghana will make it , we saw that mali was so overrated in the last african cup

By shane | October 22nd, 2008 at 5:27 pm

Dream draw for the Egyptians. There will be no excuses for their fans if they don’t make it to the World Cup out of this group. I hope Zambia and Kenya can provide stiff resistance.

By shane | October 22nd, 2008 at 5:28 pm

Whoops. Just realized it is Rwanda not Kenya in their group. Even more of a dream draw then. Still Rwanda did take down the Moroccans.

By Mo | October 22nd, 2008 at 7:02 pm

The group is ours to lose but the players need to have their heads on straight… Anything can happen in football… We need to be professional for each game and show up with our best squad and play to win… Im having dreams of the WC and pulling a couple of upsets!

I know Mali underachieved but Sissoko and Kanoute always make them dangerous in my mind… Ghana is the better team though no doubt

Posted from United States

By Kiko | October 23rd, 2008 at 5:44 am

You should be happy Tamim, its the easiest group!

Egypt should definetely qualify if they do their homework.

Rwanda is a decent team but not one that should trouble Egypt (Angola beat Rwanda away in the final WC qualifier for Germany 2006).

The only problem is that the final qualifier will be against Algeria (now thats a real worry!!!)

Posted from United Kingdom

By Scouser | October 23rd, 2008 at 8:20 am

ZAMBIA DOES NOT FEAR EGYPT – Mweene (Zambia’s 1st choise Goalie)
http://www.kickoff.com/static/news/article.php?id=5009

EGYPT ADMIST GROUP C NOT EASY – Hamada Sedki (Assitant Coach)
http://www.kickoff.com/static/news/article.php?id=5008

Group C, Easiest Group?

http://malawi.worldcupblog.org/team-news/the-draw-in-zurich-has-taken-place.html

Posted from United States

By Tamim | October 23rd, 2008 at 11:36 am

kiko; who said i am not happy, i am happy indeed:D

sscouser: thanks for the links!!

By Rachid | October 23rd, 2008 at 5:16 pm

Guys, you’re not even mentioning Algeria! Remember that when Arab teams (and especially N. African ones) play against Egypt, it’s anybody’s guess. I believe Algeria is coming back very strong with some key players based in Europe. With all due respect, I have seen Egypt struggle every time they play outside Cairo. But, I wish you the best of luck! Definitely you deserve to qualify.

Posted from United States

By Tamim | October 23rd, 2008 at 5:19 pm

rachid: i already mentioned what you said and warned that algeria will be very difficult to beat but if we do ten there will be no problem i guess

BTW, congratulations u just made the comment number 500

By Hany Olama | October 23rd, 2008 at 8:14 pm

This is our year, there’s no doubt about it, all the players know the responsibility on their shoulders. They know they can’t afford to lose or draw with small teams like Algeria, Rwanda and Zambia. Hassan Shehata is a master in psychological games, he will fire up our players for every match as if it’s their last one and Shawky Ghareeb is the master tactician who will put in the best formation for every match. I have a great feeling about this group, Insha2allah this is our year.

By omar | October 24th, 2008 at 6:18 am

oh man im lickin my chops i cant wait for the wc…were IN!!!!!ahahah… we beat rawanda and zambia twice altough it will be 1-0 wins away from cairo and we will beat algeria 4-1 at cairo and tie 1-1 in whereever the game is in algeria….hahhahah were in were in!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!OMG! we shud start talkin about our possible draws in the world cup….ahahahhaha…im so happy…we can go into these games overconfident and tired and we wud still drw!!!!!!

By Mo | October 26th, 2008 at 1:34 am

Wow I cant wait until March… Tamim man you have to keep us updated as much as possible… Im losing my mind!

Posted from United States

By Tamim | October 26th, 2008 at 8:59 am

sir yes sir, isa i will try as much as possible:)

By omar | October 26th, 2008 at 11:10 am

i right with mo im losin my mind tooo…nuthin else to say step it up tamim!lol

By kimo | December 4th, 2008 at 1:43 am

Just to make this clear algeria is not in their best and all other North African teams are better -YES-but what i dont agree with is when people start accusing us of bad behaviour and throwing stones ect…this is rubish. Actually it’s all started in Egypt whenever Algeria national team or Algeria league teams play against Egypians in Cairo everything will became legal to beat the Algerians is if they are going to war including of course having the referre in their side. Also Football its full of surprises. Whatch out.

Posted from Australia