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Last Saturday, Egypt began their Africa Cup of Nations campaign with a hard-fought 1-0 victory over a tenacious Guinea-Bissau team.
Last Tuesday, they lost 1-0 to Nigeria in their group opener, with Leicester City forward Kelechi Iheanacho scoring the game’s only goal on the half-hour mark.
Egypt, the continent’s most decorated nation with seven AFCON trophies, is now in second place in Group D, two points ahead of Sudan and three behind Nigeria, both of whom have already qualified for the knockout stages.
Sudan, on the other hand, will be looking for all three points in order to keep their qualification hopes alive after losing their first two games. The Falcons of Jediane, who qualified for Cameroon after placing second to Ghana in Group C of the qualifiers, started their AFCON campaign with a goalless draw against Guinea-Bissau on Tuesday.
However, this was followed by a humiliating 3-1 loss to group leaders Nigeria, who had made a strong start and secured a place in the knockout stages.
Sudan has now gone 12 games without a win, drawing four times and losing eight times.
Form Guide
Egypt WWDWLW
Egypt is looking to win again after defeating Guinea-Bissau 0-1 in the Africa Cup of Nations.
During the game, Egypt had 61 percent possession and 17 shots on goal, four of which were on target. Mohamed Salah (69′) was Egypt’s only player to score. Guinea-Bissau had seven shots on goal, three of which were on target.
Their most recent results highlight the importance of paying attention to Egypt’s defensive line. Egypt has been stingy, with four goals scored in their last six games. All that remains to be seen is whether or not this tendency will continue into the future.
Sudan DDLDDL
Sudan and their travelling supporters will be looking for a better result in this game after a setback in their previous encounter against Nigeria in Africa Cup of Nations action.
Sudan had 42 percent of the game’s possession and five shots on goal, two of which were on target. Sudan had only one player on the scoresheet, Khedr (70′). Nigeria had 17 shots on goal, eight of which were on target. Nigeria’s goals came from Samuel Chukwueze (3′), Taiwo Awoniyi (45′), and Moses Simon (46′). Sudan’s attacking players have failed to score in their last six games, contributing only four goals. The Falcons of Jediane have also scored a total of ten goals in those games.
Egypt: Clean bill of health and no suspension concerns.
Sudan: Clean bill of health and no suspension concerns.
Egypt Predicted XI: Okoye; Aina, Troost-Ekong, Ajayi, Sanusi; Aribo, Ndidi; Chukweze, Iheanacho, Simon; Awoniyi
Sudan Predicted XI: Abou; Elfadni, Nemer, Karshoum, Mohamedein; G Omer, Khidir, Al-Rasheed, A Omer; Nooh, Abdelrahman
Sudan will most likely have a difficult time putting one, if any, goals past an Egypt team that will most certainly control the game.
When all is said and done, we foresee a convincing 4-0 thrashing for Egypt.
Guinea’s chances of progressing to the round of 16 were harmed on Saturday when they were defeated 1-0 by Egypt. When the two teams met at the Roumde Adjia Stadium last Tuesday, Baciro Cande’s team was held to a goalless draw by a tenacious Sudan side.
The Djurtus require a win to keep their slim qualification hopes alive, as they are now tied on one point with Sudan and two points behind second-place Egypt.
Nigeria, meanwhile, joined host Cameroon and 1976 champions Morocco as the latest team to qualify for the knockout stages with a 3-1 victory over Sudan.
Prior to that, Augustine Eguavoen’s team had a strong start to the competition, defeating Egypt 1-0 thanks to a goal in the 30th minute.
Form Guide
Guinea-Bissau LLDDDL
Guinea-Bissau will be trying to get back on track after losing 0-1 to Egypt in their previous Africa Cup of Nations match.
Guinea-Bissau controlled the ball 39 percent of the time and had seven shots on goal, three of which were on target. Egypt, on the other hand, had 17 shots on goal, four of which were on target. Egypt’s only goal came from Mohamed Salah (69′).
In the six matches leading up to this one, a bet on “Both Teams to Score” would have been a loser in six of them.
Nigeria LWWDWW
Nigeria will enter the encounter fresh off a 3-1 Africa Cup of Nations victory over Sudan in their last match.
In the game, Nigeria had 58 percent possession and 17 shots on goal, eight of which were on target. Samuel Chukwueze (3′), Taiwo Awoniyi (45′), and Moses Simon (46′) were the scorers. Sudan, on the other hand, had five shots on goal, two of which were on target. Sudan scored through Khedr (70′).
Nigeria’s defense has put in a string of strong performances, conceding only three goals in their last six games. During that time, their own attack force has scored nine goals.
Guinea-Bissau: Clean bill of health and no suspension concerns.
Nigeria: Clean bill of health and no suspension concerns.
Guinea-Bissau Predicted XI: Aina, Troost-Ekong, Omeruo, Sanusi, Aribo, Ndidi, Simon, Chukwueze, Iheanacho and Awouniyi.
Nigeria Predicted XI: Mendes, Encada, Sangante, Mane, Cande, Cassama, Nogueira, Ambri, Piqueti, Camara and Balde.
When these factors are considered, Guinea-Bissau may find it difficult to get through the Nigerian defense, which we believe will score at least once to put them ahead.
As a result, we expect a close encounter, with Nigeria winning by a score of 0-1 at the end.
It’ll be fascinating to see how this one turns out.