Big football action don land as Africa Cup of Nations dey reach knockout stage, with Senegal and Egypt go face each other for Tangier on Wednesday, January 14.
Both teams don show similar form for tournament, win four of five games, but the way dem take win dey different well well.
Match Preview
Senegal, wey dey number two for Africa behind host Morocco, dey look make dem reach their third AFCON final in last four editions, so dem fit reclaim top spot for continent. Since start of competition, dem don show correct form, two wins and one draw for group stage.
For knockout, Pape Thiaw men no sweat, dem beat Sudan 3-1 for Round-of-16, then Mali 1-0 for quarter-final. Eleven goals for five matches show say dem attack strong, plus dem defence dey solid too – three clean sheets, only two goals wey dem concede.
Senegal get good record against Egypt in recent times, win three of last five meetings, including match wey dump Egypt comot 2022 World Cup for Qatar.
For Egypt side, coach Hossam Hassan dey worry because dem don score only one goal against Senegal for last five meetings. Pharaohs group stage similar to Senegal, win two and draw one, but win way dem take get no too convincing. Dem need stoppage-time strike for win Zimbabwe opener, penalty to beat South Africa, draw Angola 0-0.
For knockout, Egypt waka enter extra time to beat Benin, then barely beat Cote d’Ivoire 3-2, even though dem lead 3-1 before. Senegal fit exploit some weak points for Egyptian camp.
Team News
Senegal squad full fit, Sadio Mane go lead motivation, he don get three assists since tournament start, most for Senegal, second overall for AFCON. Other goal scorers include Iliman Ndiaye wey score last game, while Nicolas Jackson fit start after him no play two of last three matches. Pape Gueye wey score two against Sudan go dey important for midfield control.
Egypt hope dey for Mohamed Salah, wey go face old teammate Mane. Salah dey chase Golden Boot with four goals from five games, and fit tie Egypt all-time AFCON top scorer record with one more goal. Defender Mohamed Hamdi no go play after knee injury, Ahmed Fatouh go cover am. Omar Marmoush go lead attack after him score second goal for tournament against Cote d’Ivoire.
Possible Lineups
Senegal: Mendy; Diatta, Koulibaly, Niakhate, Diouf; Diarra, I. Gueye, P. Gueye; Ndiaye, Jackson, Mane
Egypt: El Shenawy; Hany, Ibrahim, Rabia, Fatouh; Attia, Fathi, Adel; Salah, Marmoush, Trezeguet
We Say
Senegal dey move like machine, Egypt never reach their fluent best. Senegal get upper hand for recent meetings, and although e no go easy, Lions of Teranga dey on track to book AFCON 2025 final spot with 1-0 win over Pharaohs.
