K.O. 12:00 ET Canada-USA | 19:00 Cairo local time
Mohamed Salah and his fellow team members are optimistic about their third attempt as they embark on a fresh journey in pursuit of victory at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), commencing on January 13 and concluding on February 11.
The current generation, succeeding Egypt’s iconic figures such as Mohamed Abou-Treika, Ahmad Hassan, Essam El-Hadary, and Wael Gomaa, who secured an extraordinary treble from 2006 to 2010, has yet to experience triumph in Africa’s premier tournaments.
Despite coming close on two occasions, their aspirations were dashed by the host country, Cameroon, in 2017, and their formidable rival, Senegal, in 2021.
The Pharaoh’s coach Vitoria has summoned his most seasoned players to face his most significant challenge since assuming leadership of the team. Among the 27 players chosen for the journey to Cote d’Ivoire, only six have yet to experience top-tier African football. Ahmed Sami, Yasser Ibrahim, and Mohamed Hany in defense, along with midfielders Marwan Attia and Mahmoud Hamada, along with winger Mostafa Fathi, are set to make their debut in the 34th edition of this competition.
Vitoria faced a last-minute roster adjustment, enlisting Yasser Ibrahim and Mohanad Lachine to fill in for the injured Osama Galal and Ahmed Nabil, respectively. Despite the absence of the injured duo, their impact may be limited, as they are not regular starters in Vitoria’s lineup, despite being standouts in the new season.
The team primarily consists of European-based players and seasoned individuals. Ahmed Hegazi, the vice-captain and defender from Ittihad Jeddah, successfully recovered from a cruciate ligament injury in time to rejoin the squad ahead of the AFCON. However, Mahmoud “El Wensh” Hamdi, the defender from Zamalek, remains unfit for the tournament.
Egypt’s campaign will commence today with a match against Mozambique, followed by encounters with Ghana, a four-time African champion, on January 18, and concluding the group stage against Cape Verde on January 22.
Mozambique
Chiquinho Conde, the coach of Mozambique’s national team, has voiced his disappointment and apprehensions about the non-participation of numerous essential players as they prepare for their match against Egypt.
Catamo, a 22-year-old winger, was initially included in Mozambique’s squad for the opening game of the AFCON 2023 finals. However, he has been sidelined for the match against Egypt due to suspension, having accumulated two yellow cards during the qualifiers.
Expressing dissatisfaction with the situation, the Mozambique coach stated, “It is unfair to suspend a player from the Nations Cup finals for receiving two yellow cards in the qualifiers. Nevertheless, we have a suitable substitute ready.”
Mozambique’s qualification for the AFCON 2023 signifies their return to the tournament for the first time since 2010, secured through a thrilling 3-2 victory over Benin on the final day of the qualifiers. This marks their fifth AFCON participation, following appearances in 1986, 1996, 1998, and 2010.
In the second round of the group stage games, the Mambas are set to face Cape Verde on 19 January, just three days before their final group stage match against Ghana.
Egypt v Mozambique: Head-to-head record 5 Matches WWWWW
Egypt’s Matches: Won: 5, lost: 0, draws: 0, goals scored: 9, goals conceded: 0
13/3/1986: Egypt 2-0 Mozambique (1986 AFCON)
10/2/1998: Egypt 2-0 Mozambique (1998 AFCON)
16/1/2010: Egypt 2-0 Mozambique (2010 AFCON)
1/6/2012: Egypt 2-0 Mozambique (2014 World Cup qualifiers)
16/6/2013: Mozambique 0-1 Egypt (2014 World Cup qualifiers)
Egypt’s probable lineup: Mohamed El-Shennawy – Mohamed Hani, Mohamed Abdel-Moneim, Ahmed Hegazi, Mohamed Hamdi – Hamdi Fathi, Mohamed Elneny, Ahmed “Zizo” Sayed – Mahmoud ‘Trezeguet’ Hassan, Mohamed Salah, Mostafa Mohamed
Prediction Egypt 3-1 Mozambique
