Today, Egypt is set to square off against Ethiopia in the ultimate round of qualifiers for the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations. The Pharaohs have already cemented their spot in next year’s highly anticipated tournament.
The showdown between Egypt and Ethiopia has significantly diminished in its competitive intensity. Egypt’s triumphant victory over Guinea in June secured their qualification, while Ethiopia finds itself entrenched at the bottom of the group with no glimmer of advancement.
In Thursday’s pre-game press conference, Vitoria, the team’s coach, revealed that Mohamed Salah would rejoin the Egyptian squad following the Ethiopia match. Vitoria emphasized the importance of granting Salah a well-deserved rest, given his participation in seven consecutive matches over the past 23 days. The coaching staff is resolute in their commitment to avoiding any undue risks with the star player. Vitoria also underscored the team’s confidence in having robust alternatives at their disposal for the Ethiopia match, further validating their decision to provide Salah with a break.
While Salah will be sidelined for the Ethiopia clash, he’s gearing up to make his return in the friendly fixture against Tunisia on Tuesday.
Coach Vitoria underlined the team’s unwavering commitment to clinching victory in the final qualifier match, especially given Ethiopia’s 2-0 triumph in the first leg. “Our objective is to showcase our team’s strength, implement our unique style of play, and disrupt Ethiopia’s rhythm. Our players are bursting with enthusiasm, and our task is clear: execute our strategies and secure the win.”
Additionally, the national team coach expressed a note of caution regarding the lineup, as 11 players are at risk of suspension due to accumulating yellow cards in the opening game of the AFCON.
