MOHAMED Salah’s bid to finally win the Africa Cup of Nations gets underway today as Egypt take on Mozambique in Abidjan. The Pharaohs already hold the record for AFCON titles and are strongly tipped to be in amongst the race for the title in Ivory Coast.
Egyptian hearts were broken with defeat in the final of both the 2017 and 2021 tournaments. They lost on penalties to Senegal in Cameroon three years ago and they will rely on a similar experienced team to get them over the line this time around. Mozambique, meanwhile, are sat 111th in the official FIFA world rankings and have never won a game at AFCON.
That makes Salah and Co big favourites to win on the opening weekend, in a Group B which includes a tricky Cape Verde team and one of Africa’s footballing stalwarts, Ghana. Those two teams face off later tonight.
Mohamed Salah starts for Egypt. As expected, the Liverpool winger slots in alongside Mostafa Mohamed and Trezeguet as the Pharaohs’ front three.
Arsenal midfielder Mohamed Elneny will sit in the centre of the park alongside Ahmed Sayed – aka Zizo – and Hamdy Fathy.
Veteran goalkeeper Mohamed El Shenawy takes the gloves.
Mozambique XI: Siluane; Macandza, Mexer, Dove, Mandava; Vilanculos, Guimaraes, Amade, Witi; Pelembe, Ratifo
Subs: Nanani, Malembana, Nene, Bruno Langa, Amadu, Lau Ha King, Clesio, Joao Bonde, Fazito, Ivan, Nangy
