Cairo: Thousands of jubilant Egyptians stayed out on the nation’s streets until the early hours of Monday, celebrating their national team’s long-awaited qualification for the World Cup finals.
The Pharaohs Sunday night defeated Congo 2-1 in a penultimate leg at home.
Liverpool’s ace Mohammad Salah scored twice to send Egypt into the World Cup finals in Russia for the first time in nearly three decades.
Egypt’s last appearance in the World Cup was in Italy in 1990. Its maiden showing in the global tournament was in 1934.
Sunday’s hard-won victory triggered massive jubilation across Egypt.
A late equalizer by Congo’s substitute Arnold Bouka Moutou stunned Egyptians. But it was not long before Salah, nicknamed the saviour and the joy-maker, converted a penalty in the fourth minute of stoppage time.
The feat was so overwhelming that ecstatic supporters poured into the Egyptian streets.
“Who could sleep tonight?” said Ali Mahmoud, a high-school student, as he had his face painted with the three colours of the Egyptian flag. “This is the first time in my life that I see this dream comes true,” the 17-year-old boy added passionately.
His fervour was shared by other patrons, who packed a Cairo coffee shop where they had breathlessly followed the dramatic match. “Long live, Egypt,” they chanted zealously, echoing a trademark slogan of President Abdul Fattah Al Sissi.
The Egyptian leader lauded the Pharaohs for their “honourable” performances in the qualifiers that put them atop Africa Group E with 12 points, four ahead of the second-placed rivals Uganda. The Pharaohs still have an away game in hand against Ghana in November.
Al Sissi ordered 1.5 million Egyptian pounds (about Dh 319,000) in reward for each player. State television said Al Sissi will meet the team and the coaching body in a gesture of appreciation.
Rapturous Egyptians also honked their car and launched fireworks that lit up the night sky of Cairo. Others waved the national flag in joy from the balconies of their homes.
Cairo streets, usually empty late at night, were gridlocked with vehicles decorated with flags of Egypt.
Transport Minister, Hesham Arafat, extended the service hours of the Cairo subway by two more hours Sunday night until 3am in order to make it easy for revellers to go home.
“Dance Hadari!” chanted some celebrants in a tribute to veteran goalkeeper Essam Al Hadari. The 44-year-old player is widely regarded as the key to Egypt’s win although he conceded a goal in Sunday’s face-off against Congo.
Hadarai, who is the oldest player in Egypt’s current squad, has repeatedly said he dreams of playing in the 2018 World Cup.
“Al Hadari has proved that nothing is impossible if one has the will and a clear aim,” said Samy Farhat, a pharmacist. “The High Dam [a nickname of Al Hadari] and Mohammad Salah have brought joy to every Egyptian and Arab.”
Egypt is the second Arab country to book a berth in the World Cup in Russia after Saudi Arabia.
