Seven time champions Egypt will confirm a place in the Africa Cup of Nations quarterfinals when they face Ghana in Port-Gentil on Wednesday.
Kick-off time is:2200hrs (EAT)
Pharaohs need a point to make it to the next round and even can go through regadless if Mali fail to beat Uganda in the other Group D match.
A win will be even better for the North Africans, allowing them to leapfrog Black Stars into top spot and ensure they remain in Port Gentil and face runners-up of Group C.
An awful state of Port-Gentil may bring an effect to the pace of the game and rains that have pounded the area in the last one week may determine who will grab the three points.
Egypt captain Essam El-Hadary has remained positive going to this match and has urged his fellow players to put a brave show in the search for a win.
“Winning and qualifying to the next round are more important than the performance,” veteran goalkeeper Essam El-Hadary told beIN Sports after Egypt’s 1-0 win over Uganda on Saturday.
“I want to thank all the players for their performance in today’s match despite the poor state of the pitch,” the 44-year-old said.
“We’ve an important game against Ghana in three days and we hope to secure qualification to the next round,”he concluded.
The magic substitute,Abdallah Said is expected to shine more this evening after putting a match winning show as a subsitute aganist Uganda and will be surely be given a start in todays match.Many expect him to bring more attacking pace aganist a defensive Ghana.
Ghana Black Stars on their side will not want to lose this though they are already in the quarterfinals.They will be looking for a revenge having recently lost to thePharaohs in a 2018 World Cup qualifier.
Ghana skipper Asamoah Gyan will be looking to improve his record as the best Ghanaian player in the tournament as his next goal will be his 50th in international career.
“In tournaments you don’t look for personal glory,” he said when asked about the significance of reaching his half-century.
“Maybe after if I get on the score sheet then I can celebrate personal glory, but as a striker people expect you to score and I am here to win the trophy.”
However Black Stars will be expecting Thomas Partey to prove his worth in assisting the team to grab a win.The Athletico Madrid midfielder has brought some magic in the team bringing some balance and will be key figure aganist the Pharaohs.
Head-to-Head – Egypt v Ghana
Egypt FIFA ranking: 35
Ghana FIFA ranking: 54
Matches played: 21
Egypt wins: 10
Ghana wins: 6
Draws: 5
Egypt goals scored: 29
Ghana goals scored: 25
