Closing in on medals after coming through the group stage,Egypt  meet Paraguay  in Marseille on Friday, as they lock horns in the third  Paris 2024 Olympics  quarter-final.

Both booked a spot in the knockout phase by winning their final group game, and they now aim to take one step closer to the podium.

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After already-qualified Spain decided to rotate their squad for Monday’s clash in Group C,Egypt  took full advantage to seize both victory and top spot.

Securing their place in the quarter-finals, the Pharaohs ran out 2-1 winners, with Ibrahim Adel  bagging a brace in Bordeaux, following up his fine first-half strike with another just after the hour mark.

Though Samu Omorodion   pulled one back late on, Egypt held on for the points that confirmed first place, which seemed unlikely after they kicked off their campaign with a frustrating 0-0 draw against the Dominican Republic.

Having subsequently responded by beating Uzbekistan 1-0, thanks to a crucial goal from Ahmed Nabil Koka,  a second straight success sees Rogerio Micale’s   men in contention to claim a first football medal in their nation’s history.

Egypt qualified for Paris 2024 by finishing runners-up to Morocco at the most recent Under-23 Africa Cup of Nations, after they lost in the Tokyo 2020 quarter-finals to Brazil, who went on to claim gold.

Only two wins now separate the Pharaohs from a guaranteed medal, but the next team in their way showed great character to bounce back from a chastening opening defeat at these Games.

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Paraguay found themselves on the wrong end of a 5-0 thrashing in their Olympics opener last week, when Japan simply crushed their 10-man South American counterparts in Bordeaux.

However, undeterred by that setback, La Albirroja showed great mettle to win a thrilling contest against Israel, with a 4-2 win putting them back in the mix for a place in the knockout phase.

Monday’s tense 1-0 victory over Mali – earned by an early Marcelo Fernandez  goal – then put Paraguay into the last eight for the first time since Athens 2004, where they memorably reached the final.

Veteran coach Carlos Jara Saguier   led his nation to the silver medal on that occasion, and having been re-appointed in October last year, the 73-year-old now aims to emulate that achievement two decades on.

Despite making little impact at senior international level, Paraguay have now advanced to the latter stages in all three of their appearances at the Olympics, and Saguier’s squad will try to take inspiration from their predecessors on Friday.

Team News

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After an impressive win last time out, Rogerio Micale is expected to keep faith in a front three of Osama Faisal , Ibrahim Adel and Zamalek winger Ahmed Sayed , more commonly known as Zizo.

Adel was the star of Egypt’s Under-23 AFCON campaign and not only scored twice against Spain but also versus Iraq in their final warm-up fixture.

Ahmed Nabil Koka recovered from a foot injury that ruled him out of the first game to join captain Mohamed Elneny  in midfield on Monday, and the latter should again occupy a holding position just in front of the Pharaohs’ back four.

Meanwhile, Paraguay will turn to Libertad forward Marcelo Fernandez for inspiration at Stade Velodrome, following his haul of three goals in the last two games.

Wilder Viera was sent off in La Albirroja’s opening defeat, then after serving a suspension found himself dropped to the bench against Mali, but it remains to be seen who will support Brighton & Hove Albion star Julio Enciso  and Huracan striker Marcelo Perez  up front.

Egypt possible starting lineup:
Alaa; Fayed, Abdelmeguid, Eid, El-Debes; Elneny; Shehata, Kouka; Sayed, Faisal, Adel

Paraguay possible starting lineup:
R. Fernandez; Rivas, De Jesus, Balbuena, Nunez; M. Fernandez, M. Gomez, D. Gomez, Caballero; Enciso, Perez

Collins Okinyo

Ex- CAF Media Expert. An expert on African football with over 15 years experience ,always with an ear to the ground with indepth knowledge of the game. I have worked for top publications including 7 years at www.supersport.com until i founded www.soka25east.com to quench the thirst of football lovers across the continent. I have trained young upcoming journalists who are now a voice in African football.I have covered World Cup,AFCON,CHAN,Champions League,Confederations Cup,Cecafa,Cosafa,Wafu and many other football tournaments across the World. Founder Football Africa Arena(FAA),Founder www.afrisportdigital.com