Egypt will face off with Burkina Faso in the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations semi-final at the Stade de’Amitie in Gabon on Wednesday.
Kick-off is at 22h00 (EAT)
Egypt can draw inspiration from a famous win over then hosts Burkina Faso in 1998 at the same stage 19 years ago, claiming a 2-0 win thanks to a brace from their all-time leading scorer Hossam Hassan.
Pharaohs also came back from two goals down to record a 4-2 group stage win over Burkina Faso in an exciting group-stage game in the 2000 Nations Cup.
But having sailed to the 2017 Afcon semi-finals after edging out Tunisia 1-0 courtsey of Muhamoud Abdel-Moneims last minute goal, the North Africans will have a mountain to climb in their chase for a final slot.
Pharaohs will have to do without some of their dependable players through injuries with lone striker Marwan Mohsen becoming the latest casualty after tearing a cruciate knee ligament during their last game aganist Morocco.
Arsenal’s midfielder Mohamed Elneny,who did not play in the quarterfinals is not expected to be fit this evening as well as regular left-back Mohamed Abdel-Shafi.
Despite that the Pharaohs are still on a mission to win a record eighth AFCON title.The last time they won it was in 2010 before failing to qualify for the next three tournaments.
Thier coach Hector Cuper despite challenges has been able to build a side which is not yet to conceed in the 2017 AFCON finals.
He is expected to give a chance to rookie left-back Karim Hafez again to partner with Ahmed Fathi.
Tarek Hamed is expected to steer the midfield teaming up a wonderful combination with Hull City’s Ahmed Elmohamady.
Veteran goalkeeper Essam El Hadary is expected to maintain his position between the sticks and he is one of the survivors of 2010 winning team together with Ahmed Fathi.
The record seven-time champions defeated Cameroon 1-0 in the 2008 final and beat Ghana with the same score in the 2010 final.
Burkina Faso
But they should be worried of Burkina Faso side who are chasing for their second Afcon final having been there last in 2013.
The Stallions booked their place at the semi-finals after defeating Tunisia 2-0 in an intresting quarterfinal in Libreville last weekend.
Having been outplayed by the Carthage Eagles , the West Africans had to wait until late in the second half when subsitute Aristide Bance opened the scoring in the 77th minute of the game before Prejuce Nakoulma sealed the victory.
Under coach Paul Duarte the Burkinabes have improved in all the departments with well crafted passes and it will not be a suprise if they make it to the semi-finals.
However, they have also been faced by injuries that have costed them two of their important players.
Jonathan Pitroipa who emerged as the best player of the 2013 tournament, and Spanish-based striker Jonathan Zongo were ruled out in the opening week after knee injuries will not be part of the team.
“But we have other players. This is a team that I started building seven years ago and I know all their abilities,” Duarte added .
“They are a team capable of giving a fantastic show. The quality and the confidence is there.”
FC Nantes forward Prejuce Nakoulma will be the man to fetch goals for the Stallions.He has become one of the most consistent players in this years AFCON,having netted two crucial goals for his side.
His pace and power has propelled the Stallions this far and he will be looking forward for a wonderful encounter forgeting the misses he had during the 2013 edition where they narrowly lost to Super Eagles of Nigeria.
Burkina Faso also have a great talent in the name of Herve Koffi between the sticks.Also a other spine of experienced is sweetened by Bakary Kone, captain Charles Kabore and Aristide Bance.
Probable line-ups
Burkina Faso: Koffi; Yago, Dayo, Kone, Coulibaly; Kabore, Razak Toure, Blati Toure; Bertrand Traore, Bayala, Nakoulma.
Egypt: El Hadary; Elmohamady, Gabr, Fathi, Hegazy; Hamed, Hafez, Salah, Said; Trezeguet, Kahraba.
Head-to-head – Burkina Faso v Egypt
Burkina Faso FIFA ranking: 53
Egypt FIFA ranking: 35
Matches played: 6
Burkina Faso Wins: 0
Egypt Wins: 4
Draws: 2
Burkina Faso goals scored: 7
Egypt goals scored: 15
