 Egypt celebrate after winning the 2006 Nations Cup |
Egypt are expected to fill the last remaining place at next year's African Nations Cup finals when they face Botswana on Saturday. The reigning champions need only to avoid defeat at home to the Zebras in their Group Two qualifier.
But the Pharaohs will take to the field without injured duo of striker Ahmed Mido Hossam and midfielder Mohamed Barakat.
However, Germany-based forward Mohamed Zidan is back after he missing their last match in Burundi.
A shock win for Botswana could put them through to their first Nations Cup finals appearance but only if Burundi fail to win in Mauritania in the other Group Two match in Nouakchott on Saturday.
Wins for Burundi and Botswana will see the two teams finish top of the group tied on 10 points each and equal on head-to-head record meaning that goal difference will come into play.
On Friday, Frederic Kanoute led Mali into the next year's finals with the opening goal in a decisive 2-0 away win over Togo in Lome.
Kanoute's first-half header set Mali on their way and a late goal by Mamadou Diallo sealed the win and top slot in Group Nine.
Mali were joined in the finals by Benin, who snatched one of the three berths reserved for best runners-up by beating Sierra Leone 2-0 in Freetown in the other Group Nine game.
Oumar Tchomogo scored both goals, the first a deflection off a defender and the second an interception of a poor back-pass, to secure Benin's second-ever trip to the finals.
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