The second round of fixtures continues on Saturday when Guinea Bissau takes on Egypt and Premier League News Now takes an enlightening look at what to expect ahead of this Group D game in this year’s African Cup Of Nations.
Guinea-Bissau were denied the perfect start to their Africa Cup of Nations campaign when they faced Sudan in a goalless draw in what was an impressive performance from a disciplined Sudan side.
The Djurtus came closest to finding the back of the net in the 82nd minute when Pele stepped up to take his penalty, but 32-year-old goalkeeper Ali Abou Achrine did brilliantly to save the Monaco midfielder attempt, denying them the much needed three points in their opening game.
TEAM NEWS
After their goalless draw against Sudan on Tuesday, Guinea-Bissau have now failed to score in five straight games and we expect Baciro Cande to make a few tactical changes in the attack against Egypt. Baciro Cande confirmed that six of his players had tested positive for COVID 19 before the game against Sudan. Their identities he did not disclose.
Mama Balde, has failed to score in eight consecutive games for his club and country and the Troyes forward could drop to the substitutes bench, with 24-year-old Steve Ambri pushing for a starting role.
For Egypt, Liverpool FC forward Mohamed Salah will most likely lead the attack with Mostafa Mohammed and Omar Marmoush. Ahmed Sayed popularly known as ‘Zizo’ who plays for Zamalek in the Egyptian league could also feature from the start of the game considering his impressive performance against Nigeria as a substitute.
Egypt will approach the game without the services of Akram Tawfik after the Al Ahly full-back was forced off injured just 11 minutes into the game again against Nigeria.
Akram Tawfik suffered a torn cruciate ligament against Nigeria and is ruled out for the rest of the tournament. They will look to control the game through Arsenal‘s Mohamed Elneny as he shields the backline and looks to find that defensive splitting pass to find Salah or Trezeguet in wide areas. This will be heavily
To replace him, Future FC defender Mohamed Abdelmoneim would make his entry in at right-back after a solid performance after coming on as a substitute against Nigeria.
WHEN & WHERE?
TIME: 16:00 GMT kick-off on Saturday
DATE: January 15, 2022.
VENUE: The Stade Roumde Adjia in Garoua.
PRE MATCH ANALYSIS:
A very crucial game for Guinea Bissau, who face Nigeria in their final group stage fixture and to book a place in the next round, a win is paramount to amplify their hopes of making it to the next round of the tournament.
Frederick Mendy saw his effort cleared off the line in the game against Sudan and Joseph Mendes hit the post as well. They play with sheer determination and drive and that will be evident against Egypt. The penalty miss against Sudan in the 82nd minute of the game was quite disappointing considering the fact that converting that penalty would have presented them with three vital points coming into this game.
Moreto Cassama of Reims in Ligue 1 is still one to keep a close eye on against the Pharaohs approaching this important game.
Guinea Bissau may look to sit back and be more compact and try to play on the break against Egypt. Nine shots with four on target for Guinea Bissau against Sudan and 59% possession saw them have more of the ball although it may not be the case on Saturday against a great Egyptian side.
Egypt will approach this game with an attacking philosophy using wide areas and wide players to create chances and eventually find the back of the net.
They will look to control the game through Arsenal’s Mohamed Elneny as he shields the backline and looks to find that defensive splitting pass to find Salah or Trezeguet in wide areas. Elneny was outperformed by Leicester city midfielder Wilfred Ndidi on Tuesday but will look to redeem himself and put up a great performance to earn his side the much-needed victory.
The seven-time champions find themselves at the bottom of the Group D standings and need to win both of their remaining games to book a place into the next round of the competition.
Egypt, who are the record winners on the continent with seven title wins, risk an early exit from the tournament if they lose on Saturday as they sit bottom in Group D.
PREMIER LEAGUE PLAYER FEATURE:
Mohamed Salah
The Egyptian king was closely marked and kept out of the game by the Nigeria team as a whole. Salah came close to scoring against Nigeria but a save with the feet from Maduka Okoye was enough to deny him. A player in the form of his life, Mohamed Salah was quite silent for most of the game but will look to turn the situation around when Guinea Bissau come against Egypt. sixteen premier league goals and seven assists for Liverpool, The Egyptian winger looks to open his goal-scoring account against the Djurtus.
A goal or two would keep him in the tournament’s golden boot race after Cameroon skipper Aboubakar’s brace alongside Karl Toko Ekambi against Ethiopia on Thursday to book a place for Cameroon in the knockout stages of the competition. Aboubakar leads the goal-scoring chart with four goals in two games for the indomitable lions.
PREDICTED XI
Guinea-Bissau Predicted XI (4-3-3): Maurice Gomis; Fali Cande, Jefferson Encada, Sori Mané, Opa Sangate; Jorge Braima Candé Nougueira, Moreto Cassama, Pelé; Piqueti, Mama Samba Baldé, Joseph Mendes.
Egypt Predicted XI (4-3-3): Mohamed El-Shennawy; Ahmed Hegazi, Mohamed Abdelmonem, Omar Kamal Sayed Abdel Wahed, Mahmoud Alaa; Omar Marmoush, Mohamed Elneny, Ramadan Sobhi; Mohamed Salah, Mahmoud Hassan Trezeguet, Mostafa Mohamed.
MATCH PREDICTION:
GUINEA BISSAU 0-3 EGYPT.
