Egypt’s U23 national team have qualified for the 2024 summer olympics  in Paris after reaching the final of the 2023 U23 Africa Cup of Nations.

The Young Pharaohs had qualified for the semi-finals after topping Group B  with seven points, beating Mali and Gabon, while drawing with Niger.

As a result, Rogério Micale’s men were drawn against group A runner-up’s Guinea, while Morocco set up a clash with Mali.

Egypt XI: Hamza Alaa, Ahmed Eid, Mohamed Tarek, Hossam Abdelmegiud, Hatem Mohamed; Ahmed Atef, Ahmed Nabil Kouka, Mohamed Shehata, Mahmoud Saber; Osama Faisal,Ibrahim Adel

The Egyptians started the game looking for an early goal that would ease the game for themselves and they didn’t wait long for it.

Only eight minutes after the start, Mohamed Shehata pounced on a loose ball on the edge of the box, before sending a powerful effort past the keeper to make it 1-0.

The rest of the second-half saw Guinea trying to find the equaliser and they almost got in the 35th minute through Algassime Bah if it wasn’t for a brilliant save from Hamza Alaa.

Hamza Alaa came under the spotlights once again as he denied Fode Camara in the 58th minute to keep Egypt in front.

Egypt thought they had sealed the win when Hossam Abdelmegiud put the ball into the back of the net with a header, but the goal was ruled out for offside.

Eventually, Egypt managed to hold on and came out 1-0 victorious to secure a spot in the 2023 U23 Africa Cup of Nations for a second consecutive time.

The win also saw Egypt reach the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris, which will mark the 13th time that the Pharaohs take part in the competition.

Collins Okinyo

Ex- CAF Media Expert. An expert on African football with over 15 years experience ,always with an ear to the ground with indepth knowledge of the game. I have worked for top publications including 7 years at www.supersport.com until i founded www.soka25east.com to quench the thirst of football lovers across the continent. I have trained young upcoming journalists who are now a voice in African football.I have covered World Cup,AFCON,CHAN,Champions League,Confederations Cup,Cecafa,Cosafa,Wafu and many other football tournaments across the World. Founder Football Africa Arena(FAA),Founder www.afrisportdigital.com