Guinea, Egypt to battle for AFCON spot

Guinea will lock horns with Egypt in the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) qualification Group D match at the Stade de Marrakech in Morocco on Wednesday.

Kick-off is at 8:00 pm CAT.

CURRENT FORM

The National Elephants are undefeated in their last three matches in the Afcon qualifiers having defeated Ethiopia both home and away in Group D matches played in March this year.

Guinea are placed second on the group standings - level on points with leaders, Egypt and a draw would see both teams qualify for the finals with a game to spare.

Meanwhile, Egypt are unbeaten in their last two games in the Afcon qualifiers having defeated Malawi both home and away in Group D games played in March this year.

The Pharaohs will remain at the top of the group standings if they avoid a defeat to Guinea who are no pushovers hence they are level on points with Egypt.

TEAM NEWS

Injury-prone Naby Keita is expected to make his return to competitive football having played his last official game in March this year as National Elephants beat Ethiopia 3-2 in Morocco.

On the other hand, Hussein El-Shahat and Yasser Ibrahim, who recently helped Al Ahly clinch the 2022/23 CAF Champions League title, have been recalled to the Egypt squad.

WHAT WAS SAID?

Egypt head coach Rui Vitoria

"Frankly, I am so sad, and I can't easily accept how the CAF set the date of the game against Guinea," Vitoria said in a press conference.

"With all my respect to Guinea, I have no fear of them. We just respect them very well, and our goal is to win.

"But it is not acceptable for CAF or any other responsible party to put the match on 14 June."

Guinea head coach Kaba Diawara

"We had two matches to play against Ethiopia. We have to get ready for the next game right away," Diawara said in a press conference.

"Wish we could have scored more goals because we can create many chances.

"So we have to focus again. We'll keep working on the offensive part of our game and I hope this win will be our key to our next games."

HEAD-TO-HEAD

Guinea and Egypt have met nine times across all competitions.

The Pharaohs have the upper hand having registered five wins compared to the National Elephants' two victories, while two games ended in a draw.

Their last meeting ended in a 1-0 win in favour of Egypt in a 2023 Afcon qualifier played in Cairo in June 2022.