By Amakye Ansah
#.7 Egypt 🇪🇬
Nickname: The Pharaohs
Appearances: 25
Last Appearance: 2019
Coach: Carlos Queiroz (Portugal)
Best AFCON results: Winners (1957,1959,1986,1998,2006,2008,2010),
Most successful team (7)
Skipper: Mohammed Salah
Player to watch: Mohammed Salah
Region: UNAF
CAF ranking: 6
FIFA Ranking: 45
Population: 102,674,145
The most experienced team when it comes to the Africa Cup of Nations. Egypt arguably is the best football nation on the continent.
Their dominance both in the club and international football is unbelievable. The Pharaohs are the most successful nation in the competition with 7 titles.
They have a bonafide superstar in Mohammed Salah. He is the best player on the continent. Carlos Queiroz qualified them to the playoffs of the Qatar 22 FIFA World Cup after replacing Hossam El Badry.
Egyptians are familiar with winning and will love to better the 2019 surprise round 16 (1-0) defeat when they hosted it to South Africa. They will surely depend on Mohammed Salah’s incredible form for Liverpool ( 15 goals, 9 assists) in the English Premier League for success. He also scored 7 goals in the group stages of the UEFA Champions League. He is simply in the form of his life.
They have other quality players plying their trade in the Egyptian Premier League.
Al Ahly trio Mohammed Magdi Kafsha, Amr El Soulia and Mohammed Sherif are all top players on the continent. Former Stoke City and Huddersfield midfielder, Ramadan Sobhi:now with Pyramids is a delight to watch.
The core of the team
33-year-old Mohammed El Shanaawy of Al Ahly will be one of their best players. He is one of the best keepers on the continent. He has won CAF Champions League twice, CAF Super Cup and the Egyptian Premier League on 5 occasions with Al Ahly.
Ahmed Hegazy and Mahmoud El-Wensh will be expected to continue their good partnership at the back.
Arsenal’s Mohammed El Neny and Amr El Soulia of Al Ahly will serve as the main link between the defence and the attack.
The three Mohammed’s: Salah, Mostapha and Sherif will be expected to guarantee the Pharaoh’s goals.
Probable lineup
4-3-3
Mohammed El Shanaawy (GK)
Akram Tawfik, Ahmed El Fotou, Ahmed Hegazy, Mahmoud El-Wensh (DF)
Elneny, Amr El Soulia, Abdalla Bekhit (MF)
Mo Salah, Mostapha Mohammed, Omar Marmoush (ATT)
Expectations: Quarter Finals
