Egypt qualified for the FIFA U-17 World Cup after defeating Angola 2-1 in the third-place playoff at the Africa Cup of Nations, hosted by Morocco.

With this victory, coach Ahmed El Kass’s team clinched Africa’s 10th berth at the World Cup, which will be held in Qatar from November 2 to 27.

El Kass said during a press conference following the match, “I am indescribably happy to beat Angola and qualify for the World Cup after a 28-year absence. I apologize for being eliminated from the Africa Cup of Nations. I had great confidence that we would qualify for the World Cup. I never lost hope.”

The former Egyptian international, who participated in the 1990 World Cup in Italy, added, “The Egyptian Football Association was very supportive of us achieving our dream (of qualifying for the World Cup). My happiness at raising the Egyptian flag at the World Cup is indescribable, and my goal was to bring joy to the faces of the Egyptian people.”

In another match, Uganda secured the second qualifying spot from the play-offs after a 2-1 victory over Gambia.