LIVE: Egypt v Zimbabwe | AFCON 2019 EGYPT ((LIVE))

Egypt boast a superb AFCON record on home soil and Mohamed Salah’s presence means expectations are high as they prepare to face Zimbabwe.

Mohamed Salah will carry the hopes of the host nation into Egypt’s 2019 Africa Cup of Nations opener against Zimbabwe in Cairo on Friday.

The Pharaohs and the continent’s outstanding player are chasing an eighth African title having fallen short in the 2017 final against Cameroon.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Egypt – Mohamed Salah

The likes of Mohamed Elneny and captain Ahmed Elmohamady underline the fact Egypt are far from a one-man team. But it is impossible to look beyond their star attraction, who heads into a moment of reckoning before his adoring public at the peak of his powers and as a Champions League winner. Stop him if you can.

Zimbabwe – Nyasha Mushekwi

Back in the national team picture for the first time in two years after scoring 15 times for Dalian Yifang in the Chinese Super League last season. The 30-year-old striker is well travelled, having plied his trade in South Africa, Belgium and Sweden before moving to Asia.

Zimbabwe boss Sunday Chidzambwa believes Egypt are the tournament favourites and is realistic about his own team’s prospects at Cairo International Stadium.

“We know how strong Egypt are especially when they play at home and the fans on their side supporting them throughout the competition,” he told reporters.

“Now that we are in the AFCON group stages, we will work hard to get the best possible results in all our games.”

Preview Video (SuperSports)

LIVE: Egypt v Zimbabwe | AFCON 2019 EGYPT

FT: Egypt 1-0 Zimbabwe