President Abdel Fattah El Sisi congratulated Egypt’s U-23 national team for advancing to Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games.
Sisi praised the Pharaohs’ heroic performance, under the leadership of Shawky Gharieb.
The Pharaohs booked their ticket at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games after smashing South Africa with three unanswered goals on Tuesday.
Ramadan Sobhi converted from a penalty spot, putting the Pharaohs ahead in the 60th minute. Abdel Rahman Magdy doubled the Pharaohs’ lead in the 84th minute after firing a shot from the center of the box.
Magdy added the third for the hosts in the 89th minute through a left-foot shot from the outside of the box, to send the Pharaohs the U-23 Africa Cup of Nations final.
South Africa started the game so fiercely as early as after only two minutes when Aaron Mokoena fired a powerful shot from a free-kick, which was so close to the Pharaohs’ post.
Egypt’s keeper Mohamed Sonhi was brought into action for the first time in the 8th minute as his save denied Nigizana’s outstanding shot.
Forward Mostafa Mohamed made the first serious chance for the Pharaohs after thirteen minutes when he met Ahmed Abou El Fotouh’s well-played cross with a powerful header.
Three minutes later, Ahmed Ramadan “Beckham” fired an excellent shot from the outside of the box, which was denied by the Bafana Bafana’s keeper, but the ball reached to Ramadan Sobhi, who followed up with a shot, which went far from South Africa’s net.
The Pharaohs are set to clash against Ivory Coast on Friday at Cairo International Stadium. The first three spots in the tournament qualify automatically to Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games.
