The African champions face an unthinkable exit from the qualifiers after two consecutive defeats to Niger and South Africa left them bottom of Group 7 with a single point.

While the majority of fans are only hoping for a best second-placed berth, Fathallah believes that finishing top of the group is still possible.

“We still have the ambition to finish as group winners, and mathematically, this is possible. So why talk about second place?” the 29-year-old center-half told FilGoal.com.

“It is probable that we could win our remaining three games and a South Africa stumble is not far-fetched as well.”

Fathallah scored Egypt’s only goal in the qualifying campaign so far; an equalizing header in the 1-1 draw with Sierra Leone last September.