Three-time champions Egypt showcased their pedigree in the TotalEnergies CAF Futsal AFCON Morocco 2024 with a dominant 10-3 victory over Namibia at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Hall, regaining the top spot in Group B.
Gehad Arafa’s side demonstrated their class and experience against tournament newcomers Namibia on Sunday evening, delivering a commanding performance that reflected their futsal prowess.
Egypt signaled their intent early in the match, with Mohamed Farag testing Namibian goalkeeper Cee-Jay Van Wyk before Khaled Abdelhalim’s strike rattled against the post. The breakthrough came after 5 minutes when Alaa Eissa found the back of the net to give Egypt the lead.
The Pharaohs continued to press forward, with Khaled Abbas forcing another save from Van Wyk. However, Namibia stunned the Egyptians by equalizing through Reginald Clive Willemse’s powerful finish from outside the area, showcasing the Brave Warriors’ determination.
Egypt responded swiftly, reclaiming the lead through Khaled Abdelhalim’s exquisite curling shot, only for Rowen Jager to level the score once again for Namibia shortly after. The spirited Namibians then missed a chance to take the lead when captain Ken Salote failed to find the target.
The first half ended dramatically as Mohamed Abdelrazek Koki put Egypt ahead once more with a composed finish, giving the Pharaohs a narrow 3-2 advantage heading into halftime.
Egypt emerged from the break with renewed vigor, quickly extending their lead as Essam Ramadan’s low drive found the back of the net. Mohamed Abdelrazek Koki continued to torment Namibia’s defense, securing his brace to make it 5-2 in favor of Egypt.
Abdelrahman Moawad further compounded Namibia’s woes with a well-taken toe poke finish, increasing Egypt’s lead to 6-2. Despite Namibia’s goalkeeper Ryiena Riya pulling one back, Egypt’s Ahmed Mohamed responded swiftly with a quick-fire double.
Khaled Abdelhalim then added his second goal of the match, putting Egypt comfortably ahead at 9-3. Ahmed Mohamed completed his hat-trick late in the game, sealing a resounding 10-3 victory for Egypt.
Coach Gehad Arafa praised his team’s clinical display, especially in the second half. “We showed our quality and took control of the match after the break. The players executed our game plan effectively,” Arafa commented after the game.
Meanwhile, Namibia’s coach Ryan Jago acknowledged the challenges his team faced against the seasoned Egyptian side. “We competed well in parts of the game but ultimately struggled to contain Egypt’s attacking prowess,” Jago said.
With this impressive win, Egypt now leads Group B with 6 points, ahead of Mauritania on 3 points. Namibia, still seeking their first points in the tournament, faces an uphill battle in their remaining fixtures.
The TotalEnergies CAF Futsal AFCON continues to deliver thrilling encounters as teams vie for glory and a chance to advance to the knockout stages. Egypt’s emphatic victory sends a strong message to their competitors, reaffirming their status as contenders for the coveted title.
