The anticipated chance to be in Russia

CAIRO – 8 October 2017: Egypt can secure the World Cup qualification for the first time since 1990 with a win against Congo on Sunday.

Ghana was eliminated from the World Cup qualification, allowing Egypt to grab the ticket to Russia with a win against bottom team Congo on Sunday, at Borg al-Arab stadium in Alexandria.

Congo was eliminated in the last round, after losing 1-5 to Ghana, and Uganda needed a win yesterday to keep their qualification hopes alive.

It is worth noting that Egypt’s last participation at the World Cup finals was in Italy in 1990, and their first qualification was in 1934 and it was by invitation.

Mahmoud al-Gohary led a defensive national team to the finals of the 1990, so it only seems fitting that the man set to emulate him also employs a similarly cautious approach.

Hector Cuper assumed control of the Pharaohs at a tough time in Egypt’s history, with the side missing out on the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, as well as three straight AFCON tournaments.

The AFCON qualification over Nigeria and Tanzania was the highlight of Cuper's first few months in charge, and that achievement was followed up by the World Cup qualifying victories over Congo and Ghana to put Egypt in control of Group E.

After a surprising run to the 2017 AFCON final in Gabon, the focus on the World Cup qualification resumed; a 1-0 loss to Uganda in Kampala complicated matters for Egypt, but a win in the reverse fixture restored their lead in the group.

And now, after Ghana’s 0-0 draw with Uganda in their penultimate qualifier, Egypt is on the brink of a long-awaited return to the greatest competition in international football.

Abdallah al-Saeed is a notable absence (due to his injury), so it remains to be seen who Cuper will entrust with the #10 role on Sunday.

Predicted Egypt XI squad: Essam al-Hadary, Ahmed Fathi, Ramy Rabia, Ahmed Hegazi, Mohamed Abdel Shafy, Tarek Hamed, Mohamed al-nenny, Mohamed Salah, Saleh Gomaa, Mahmoud Trezeguet, Ahmed Hassan Koka.