Angola head coach Aliou Cisse has dismissed his side’s poor historical record against Egypt ahead of their opening 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier in Cairo.
The Palancas Negras will face the Pharaohs on Friday, September 25, as both teams begin their campaign for qualification to the 2027 AFCON finals in Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda.
Angola have struggled in previous meetings with Egypt, but Cisse insists those results will have no influence on Friday’s encounter.
The Senegalese coach said he was pleased to return to Egypt but stressed that the qualifier must be treated as a standalone contest rather than one shaped by previous results.
“I am happy to be in Egypt again. Tomorrow’s match is very important, but it is one of six matches in the qualifiers, and each match has its own circumstances,” Cisse said at his pre-match press conference.
“Angola’s historical record of not beating Egypt means nothing, because every match has its own considerations.”
Cisse’s message reflects his desire for Angola to approach the fixture with confidence rather than being weighed down by their previous encounters with the Pharaohs.
The former Senegal coach is beginning a new chapter with the Palancas Negras after leading Senegal to their first AFCON title in 2021.
His immediate challenge will be to guide Angola through a difficult opening assignment against an Egypt side playing at home and seeking a positive start to their qualifying campaign.
Cisse, however, believes the past will have little relevance once the match begins, giving his players an opportunity to change the narrative surrounding the fixture.
With six qualifying matches ahead, the Angola coach also recognises the importance of maintaining perspective. A result in Cairo would provide an early boost, but the Palancas Negras will have five more matches to navigate in their pursuit of a place at the continental finals.
For Cisse, the focus is therefore firmly on Friday’s contest rather than what has happened between Angola and Egypt in the past.
