EGYPT v GHANA NOV 13th 2016 | MATCH PREVIEW | 2018 WCQ
Egypt will face Ghana on Sunday November 13th, 2016 for this month’s 2018 World Cup qualifier in Alexandria’s Borg El-Arab Stadium.
African World Cup Qualifying Group E remains very tight, with each team having played only one match to date. The group consists of Congo, Egypt, Ghana and Uganda.
Egypt welcome Ghana to the Borg El Arab Stadium, Alexandria for the second round of matches in Group E and Egypt come into the match top of the group. Thanks to goals from Mohamed Salah, just before half-time and Abdallah El-Said, not long into the second half, Egypt came from a goal down in Congo, to win the match 2-1 and claim maximum points.
However, Ghana were forced to settle for a point against Uganda and will be disappointed to have dropped points, in a home match they would have expected to win. Neither team could make the breakthrough during the 90 minutes and the match finished 0-0, much to the delight of the travelling Uganda team.
Match Info:
Match K.O @ 18:00 Cairo Local Time
Venue: Borg El Arab Stadium, Alexandria | Egypt
Referee: Eric Otogo-Castane (Gabon)
LIVE: ON Sports TV Egypt & nilesports.com live online.
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Egypt captain and goalkeeper Essam El-Hadary is optimistic that he is determined, along with his teammates, to beat Ghana and take another stride towards a place at the 2018 World Cup finals in Russia.
The Pharaohs will cross swords with the Black Stars at Alexandria’s Borg El-Arab Stadium. The home side will go five points clear of main challengers Ghana if they beat them in Group E match on Sunday.
“We consider Ghana’s match as the first match of the qualifiers. All the players are focused on this game, which is the most important for the whole country,” the 43-year old goalie was quoted as saying on the Egyptian FA website.
“We need the support of the media and all people to help us achieve our dream. The players are in a great form and everyone wants to play but we are all working for the team. It comes first,” he added.
El-Hadary, a four-time African champion, is expected to start between the sticks as regular first-choice keeper Ahmed El-Shennawi has suffered a dip in form with Zamalek, with the club relegating him to the bench as a result.
Egyptian National Team
Assistant coach Osama Nabih believes the home-based players will be ready for the crucial game following concerns over their fitness.
Nabih is particularly concerned about the conditions of players from Zamalek and Al Ahly.
The two biggest clubs in Egypt are off color in the domestic league and there are doubts if the called up players can perform.
Salah is ready
Egypt winger Mohamed Salah is in high spirits ahead of a crucial game against Ghana.
Salah spent a night to remember after scoring his maiden league hat-trick on Saturday, stealing the limelight from teammate Edin Dzeko as Roma reclaimed the second spot in Serie A with a 3-0 defeat of Bologna.
VIDEO: Hector Cuper interview on ON SPORTS TV (Arabic)
https://youtu.be/GXwiJsA2GmM
Interview with Omar Gaber in Egypt’s Camp
https://youtu.be/AHls1jv5u7I
Ghana’s news
Asamoah Gyan: “I wish I could join them”
Asamoah Gyan paid a visit to the Black Stars at their camping base in Dubai ahead of their crucial FIFA World Cup clash on Sunday against the Pharaohs of Egypt.
The 30-year-old striker who will not have a part to play in Ghana’s encounter against their Egyptian counterparts due to an injury he picked up while playing for Al Ahly Dubai believes his motivation will be enough to encourage his teammates as they face Egypt.
”It feels great to see my colleagues training. I wish I could join them but it’s all part of the game,” he said.
”As a captain I need to show my support to the boys, we have a crucial game ahead of us so I just came here to support the team and make sure everything is fine.
”I live in Dubai and with the team in Dubai, I have to show up and give them my blessings.”
Former Ghana’s captain Stephen Appiah is optimistic
Former Black Stars captain Stephen Appiah says he remains optimistic of a Ghana win over Egypt in faraway Alexandria when the two meet on Sunday in the 2018 World Cup qualifier.
“Looking at the result we got against Uganda, it makes this game a big one. Playing with Egypt is always a pleasure. In my playing days, I loved the challenge of playing against big teams, and I think Egypt a country our players will like to play against,” Appiah told 3news.
“It will surely be a tough game but I believe the boys can go to Egypt and win. I will be their number one fan on Sunday and will want every Ghanaian to pray for the team to win on Sunday,” he added.
Who will win?
With only one team qualifying from each group, Ghana now have work to do because a defeat in this match, with see them 5 points adrift of Egypt, after only two games played.
Egypt and Ghana met during qualification for the 2014 World Cup, with mixed results. Ghana completely dominated their home match, defeating Egypt 6-1, easily one of the biggest defeats in the history of Egyptian football. However, Egypt responded and defeated Ghana 2-1 at home, just a month later and their home form makes for very impressive reading. You must go back to 2004 to find the last time Egypt lost a home World Cup qualifying game and they have won their last 7 home qualification games in a row. Therefore, Egypt are favorites for this match.
Ghana have won only 2 of their last 6 away World Cup qualification matches and this is set to be their toughest test in the group.
We predict Egypt wins 1-0 | (Mohamed Salah) or (Ramadan Sobhi) will score
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