Ethiopia coach Mesay Teferi anticipates tough World Cup qualifier against Egypt

Ethiopia national team coach Mesay Teferi admitted that their upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup Zone qualifying game against Egypt will be a tough encounter. The Waliyas boss landed in Cairo with a predominantly locally-based squad to tackle the Pharaohs on Friday, 5th of September.

Teferi told local reporters before departing for Cairo that his charges are improving. “Playing in transition, using set pieces, and in possession of the ball, I think we are progressing. A change can’t come overnight, but through the process we can develop these strengths.”

Teferi’s side are fourth in Group A with six points, level with Guinea-Bissau. The East Africans have a slim chance of progressing to the World Cup. Teferi noted the Egypt clash will not be an easy one. “We expect a tough encounter. We are preparing for the tie. We have prepared well also. We shall see what the game holds when the match kicks off.”

Ethiopia played two warm-up games against Ethiopian Premier League sides Ethiopian Insurance and Wolyata Dicha in Adama and Addis Ababa respectively. The national side won both ties against clubs that will take part in the CAF Champions League and Confederation Cup. Teferi noted both matches and the D.C. United friendly earlier in August helped his side to better understand their weaknesses and strengths.

Ethiopia will face Sierra Leone on matchday eight in Monrovia next week after playing Egypt away. Egypt won 2-0 against Ethiopia in the reverse fixture. Ethiopia’s most recent win over Egypt came in 2022 during the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier group tie.

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