Egypt vs Ghana preview

January 24, 2017
By: Nemanja Lazarevic

While Ghana have already secured their place in the quarter-finals, Egypt need one point to go through, but the two sides will also be vying for the top position on Group D.

And with several high-profile sides already crashing out of the competition, every good result is a step closer to the coveted trophy.

AFCON record holders Egypt are after their eighth trophy in the competition in Gabon, and they arrived at the tournament finals on confident mood.

The Pharaohs began the 2018 World Cup qualifying campaign in style, recording back to back wins over Congo and Ghana, but they could only muster a goalless draw with Mali in their opening fixture.

Egypt looked to be heading towards yet another 0-0 stalemate, only for substitute Abdalla El Said to score the winner against Uganda in the dying moments.

This means the Pharaohs have all but qualified for the next stage, although they need to defeat Ghana if they want to secure the first place in the group.

European-based stars Mohamed Salah, Mohamed El Nenny and Ramadhan Sobhi will again be relied on to produce something special, as Egypt search for another victory over Ghana.

Probable starting line-up (4-2-3-1): El Hadary – Ahmed Fathi, Hegazy, Gabr, Mohamed Abdelshafi – Elneny, Hamed – Trezeguet, Salah, Sobhi – Mohsen.

Ghana currently have four AFCON trophies to their name, but it has now been 34 years since their last title, which is a major problem.

The Black Stars came close to ending the barren run at the previous edition of the tournament, but were ultimately beaten to the trophy by Ivory Coast.

Ghana did manage to start the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations with two 1-0 wins, but their performances have left a lot to be desired.

The Black Stars were especially disappointing in second periods of those games, and they now need to try and prove the doubters wrong against Egypt.

Ghana are available at 4.00 (3/1) to make it three wins in a row, but it appears the bookmakers believe the two sides will play out a draw that will take them both to the next stage.

Full-back Baba Rahman is out for the season after tearing his knee ligament, meaning that Frank Acheampong will continue to deputise.

Probable starting line-up (4-4-2): Brimah – Afful, Amartey, Boye, Acheampong – Atsu, Partey, Wakaso, A. Ayew – J. Ayew, Gyan.

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