Egypt U23 coach Mario Rogerio Reis Micale has expressed the team’s desire to retain the 2023 Caf U23 Africa Cup of Nations trophy after defeating Gabon 2-0 on Saturday to qualify for the semi-finals in Morocco.
In their final Group B fixture at the Ibn-Batouta Stadium in Tangier, two late goals in a nervy finish by the defending champions saw them through to the last four, courtesy of goals by Mahmoud Hassan and Osama Abdelhady, setting up a mouth-watering semi-final clash against Group A runners-up, Guinea.
Needing just a draw to advance further, Egypt cautiously approached the match against a spirited Gabon side, who had their pride to play for after losing their matches against Mali and Niger. In the process, the defending champions clinched their place in the knockout stage by finishing atop Group B with seven points.
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During the post-match press conference, coach Reis Micale expressed the team’s strong desire to qualify for the Olympics and successfully defend their title.
“Our priority remains to retain the trophy,” Micale told the media as quoted by CafOnline, adding: “Our triumph is well-deserved due to the hard work put in by the team. I urged my players to stay organised, and the goals eventually came.”
On facing Guinea in the last four, Micale said: “Undoubtedly, the semi-finals will be more intense, and Guinea will prove to be tough adversaries.”
In their opening match, Egypt was held to a goalless draw by Niger before they recovered to defeat Mali 1-0.