Burkina Faso v Egypt | Africa Cup of Nations SEMI-FINAL | Match Preview
AFRICA CUP OF NATIONS – SEMI-FINAL
Date: WED, 01 FEB 2017
Time: 21:00 Cairo Local Time
Venue: Stade d’Angondjé
Burkina Faso and Egypt go head-to-head with unbeaten records and a place in the Africa Cup of Nations final at stake.
Neither team have tasted defeat in Gabon – and seven-time champions Egypt have yet to concede goal.
The Pharaohs, who eliminated Morocco 1-0 Sunday in the quarterfinals, have rested one day less than the Stallions, who ousted Tunisia 2-0.
The record-holders — with seven Cup of Nations trophies — kept their sheet clean after four games, drawing with Mali in the opener before successive 1-0 wins against Uganda, Ghana and Morocco.
Egypt manager Hector Cuper says he hopes his fatigued players will be ready for the Wednesday semifinal of the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations against Burkina Faso.
“It is not an ideal situation, but we have no choice but to adapt,” the 61-year-old tactician told AFP Tuesday.
“The players will be given time to rehabilitate and hopefully they will be ready come Wednesday night,” he added.
Marwan Mohsen out!!
Egypt striker Marwan Mohsen will be out for several months after tearing the cruciate ligamentin his right knee in the Pharaohs’ 1-0 win over Morocco in the quarter final of the Africa Cup of Nations.
The 28-year-old underwent scans on Tuesday that confirmed Egypt’s worst fears.
Mohsen limped off two minutes before the break, making way for Sporting Braga striker Ahmed ‘Koka’ Hassan who had a hand in Egypt’s late winner.
Essam Elhadary
Egypt coach Hector Cuper praised experienced goalkeeper Essam El-Hadary .
“He is first on the training field and last to leave,” Cupet told the Egyptian media reporters
El-Hadary has kept the Pharaohs’ sheet clean for all four games, a goalless draw against Mali in the opener and three successive 1-0 victories over Uganda, Ghana and Morocco.
Fun facts
– Egypt have met Burkina Faso twice before in the Cup of Nations, winning a 1998 semi-final 2-0 and a 2000 group game 4-2.
– African legend Hossam Hassan scored twice in the semi-final, putting the Pharaohs ahead just before half-time and adding a second 19 minutes from time.
– The group match was a thriller with Burkina Faso taking a two-goal lead and Egypt clawing back to snatch the lead through Hany Ramzy with five minutes left.
– Both countries are among the current top 10 in Africa with FIFA ranking Egypt third and Burkina Faso eighth. Eighteen places divide them in the world listings.
– Egypt have played 11 Cup of Nations semi-finals, winning seven and losing four, while Burkina Faso have a one win-one loss semi-finals record.
Egypt training session before facing Burkina Faso at Semis
Given the outstanding semi-finals record of Egypt, the Portuguese handler studiously avoided making any gung-ho predictions.
“We dream of doing better than in 2013,” he said, referring to the 1-0 final defeat by Nigeria in South Africa after a giant-killing run.
“My team is capable of producing fantastic football.”
Burkina Faso have progressed even though serious injury has cost them two key players in the first round.
Jonathan Pitroipa, named the best player of the 2013 tournament, and Spanish-based striker Jonathan Zongo were ruled out in the opening week after knee injuries.
“But we have other players. This is a team that I started building seven years ago and I know all their abilities,” Duarte added .
“They are a team capable of giving a fantastic show. The quality and the confidence is there.”
Burkina Faso goalkeeper Herve Koffi, 24 years younger than El Hadary, has conceded two goals, but none from open play.
Match Predictions:
FT: Burkina Faso 0-0 Egypt | ET 0-0 | Egypt wins on penalties
