Egypt clinch semi-final spot, Libya's dominant display secures last four berth
Egypt and Libya showcased their dominance to secure spots in the semi-finals with impressive victories at the TotalEnergies CAF Futsal AFCON on Tuesday night
Egypt booked their place in the last four with a hard-fought 7-6 win over debutants Mauritania at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Hall, while Libya delivered a stunning 11-5 victory over Namibia at the IBN Yassine Hall.
Libya's Mediterranean Knights produced a stellar second-half performance to overcome Namibia and advance alongside Egypt into the semifinals.
The match between Egypt and Mauritania was a tense affair, with the Pharaohs threatening whenever they ventured into the Mauritanian half.
Mohamed Mohamed's early attempt crashed into the side netting, setting the tone for a relentless Egyptian attack.
Despite Mauritania twice being saved by the woodwork, they managed to break the deadlock through Yacoub N'diel's brilliant finish, stunning Egypt with an early lead.
However, Egypt fought back, with Mohamed Abdelrazek Koki deflecting Mohamed Mohamed's cross to equalize.
Dioncounda Sow restored Mauritania's lead before halftime, but Egypt clawed their way back into the game with goals from Khaled Abdelhalim and Abdelrahiman Moawad.
The second half saw both teams trade blows, with Mauritania's El Chendhoura Ahmed Aidda completing a hat trick, only for Egypt to respond with determination.
Man of the Match El Chendhoura Ahmed's heroics were not enough to deny Egypt, who ultimately emerged victorious.
In the other fixture, Libya displayed dominance against Namibia, securing a convincing win to seal their place in the semifinals.
With these results, Egypt topped Group B with 9 points, while Libya finished as runners-up with 6 points. Mauritania's debut appearance ended with a third-place finish, while Namibia finished bottom without a point.
Looking ahead, Egypt will face Angola in the first semifinal, while Libya will battle against Morocco in what promises to be an enthralling clash.
As the tournament progresses, the stage is set for more thrilling encounters as teams vie for continental glory in the world of futsal.