The Egyptian national team, with an overall total of 4 points, is still aiming to qualify for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa despite the difficult task ahead. The absence of some of the key players among the Pharoahs coupled with the determination of some to play on empty stomach’s does not augur well for their future. The team will fly to Rwanda where the Rwandan national team is waiting to wage battle.
The Egyptian national team, put together to face Rwanda on September 5, in line with the combined African Cup of Nations and World Cup qualifiers, is without central defender Mahmoud Fathallah.
After pullouts by Mohamed Zidane (Dortmund) and Zamalek star Mahmoud Abderrezek, Egypt must do without another offensive asset.
Mahmoud Fathallah is suffering from a ligament rupture and will be unavailable for a period of at least one month. Hassan Shehata, the team’s coach, has requested that Moatassam Salem, Al Ismaily defense, replaces Mahmoud Fathallah.
Another essential player may also fail to honour the roll call. Amr Zaki is nurturing an injury and may be unable to play. However, despite the flimsy possibility of his participation in the decisive confrontation, confirmed by the team’s medical staff, the Egyptian attacker from Zamalek will still be travelling to Kigali upon Hassan Shehata’s request.
An eventual defeat of the Egyptian national team by the Rwandan National team, which is also seeking to at least qualify for the African Cup of Nations in Angola, will further complicate matters for the pharaohs as they risk being kicked out of the 2010 World Cup.
In order to enable the players be in possession of all their physical faculties during the match, a fatwa was declared to exempt the players from taking part in the holy Ramadan fast. But according to sources close to the Egyptian team, some of the players have vowed to continue with their fast.
This important and decisive match for the two challengers is scheduled at 15:30.
