Soccer defeat against Ethiopia ignites Egyptian anger over Nile dam

The Egyptian national soccer team’s defeat against Ethiopia awakened angry reactions at the political and sporting levels in Egypt, with some associating the victory to Ethiopia’s position on the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam.
Ethiopia's midfielder Surafel Dagnachew, defender Ramadan Yusef, forward Getaneh Kebede and midfielder Yehun Endeshaw run on the field during the Group A Africa Cup of Nations 2021 soccer match between Burkina Faso and Ethiopia, Kouekong Stadium, Bafoussam, Cameroon, Jan. 17, 2022.
Ethiopia's midfielder Surafel Dagnachew, defender Ramadan Yusef, forward Getaneh Kebede and midfielder Yehun Endeshaw run on the field during the Group A Africa Cup of Nations 2021 soccer match between Burkina Faso and Ethiopia, Kouekong Stadium, Bafoussam, Cameroon, Jan. 17, 2022. - Pius Utomi Ekpei/AFP via Getty Images
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George Mikhail
@Guirguisfekri1

The defeat of the Egyptian national team by its Ethiopian counterpart has spilled over into the political crisis between Ethiopia and Egypt over the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) crisis. On June 9, Egypt lost 2-0 in the Africa Cup of Nations 2023 qualifiers.

The implications of the unexpected defeat echoed at the political level, with high-toned statements exchanged between officials and in the media outlets of the two countries.

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