After a surprising 2-2 draw against Mozambique in their opening match of the 2023 African Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Ivory Coast, the Egyptian Pharaohs are gearing up to confront the tournament favorites, Ghana, in their upcoming Group B clash.
Venue Analysis
The highly awaited matchup will unfold at the Felix Houphouet-Boigny Stadium in Abidjan. Originally constructed in 1964 for the ‘Games of Abidjan’, this stadium, with a capacity of 33,000, serves as the home ground for both Ivorian club ASEC Mimosas and the Ivorian Soccer Team.
Egypt’s recent performance
Out of their last 10 matches across various competitions, Egypt emerged victorious in 7 and secured draws in 2. The sole defeat within this period occurred in a friendly match against Tunisia in September 2023. Their most recent outing resulted in a 2-2 draw against Mozambique during the 2023 AFCON.
Ghana’s recent performance
Ghana’s performance has been lackluster lately, with three wins, three draws, and four losses in their last ten games. The team suffered a 2-1 defeat against Cape Verde’s Blue Sharks in the recent AFCON match. Notably, Ghana is currently on a five-match winless streak at the Africa Cup of Nations, marking their longest such run in the competition (D2 L3).
Egypt vs Ghana Head-to-Head
Egypt and Ghana are gearing up for their fifth encounter in the CAF tournament, having previously faced off three times in the group stages. In their overall history spanning since 1970, the teams have met 11 times across various competitions, with Egypt claiming 5 wins, Ghana securing 3, and three matches concluding in draws.
Notably, Egypt has triumphed in their last two AFCON clashes against Ghana, securing 1-0 victories in the 2010 final and the 2017 group stages. Worth noting is that the preceding four matches between Egypt and Ghana in the tournament have seen only five goals scored.
Players To Watch
Egypt – Mohammed Salah
The Egyptian King, Mohammed Salah, played a crucial role in securing a point for the Pharaohs, converting a last-minute penalty to level the score at 2-2 after the full 90 minutes. As a key player for Liverpool, Salah poses a significant threat to the Ghanaian defense. With 54 international goals in 94 appearances, he looks forward to increasing his goal tally in the upcoming clash against Ghana.
Ghana – Mohammed Kudus
Despite missing Ghana’s initial match against Cape Verde due to injury, the West Ham star is reportedly fit and prepared for the upcoming face-off against Egypt. Additionally, the Black Stars boast quality players such as Jordan Ayew and Inaki Williams, whose presence in the team can contribute significantly to propelling the squad forward.
Predicted Egypt XI: El-Shenawy, Hany, Hegazy, Abdelmonem, Hamdi, Zizo, Elneny, Fathi, Marmoush, Mohamed, Salah
Coach: Rui Vitória
Ghana possible starting lineup: Ofori; Odoi, Dijku, Salisu, Mensah; Ashimeru, Salis, Paintsil, Inaki Williams, J Ayew; Semenyo
Coach: Chris Hughton
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Story by: David Kwaku Dzaku | univers.ug.edu.gh
