Host nation, Egypt will play their second group match at the ongoing Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2019 against the Leopards of D.R. Congo who lost their first game against the Cranes of Uganda. The Pharaohs continue their quest for an eight AFCON title on home soil and will hope to secure a round of 16 place in front of home fans at the Cairo International Stadium.

Mahmoud ‘Trezeguet’ Hassan’s lone strike against the Warriors of Zimbabwe gave the hosts a well-deserved win in their opening fixture but will face a tricky test against the Leopards – seeking their first win in the competition after finding themselves bottom of the Group A standings.

Team news

Egypt

Egypt head coach Javier Aguirre said after their 1-0 win over the Warriors that the result was all that mattered when it comes to football, despite his side struggling to overcome the ‘stubborn’ Zimbabwe side last week.

In the first match, Marwan Mohsen, Abdallah El-Said and star man Mohamed Salah who just recently won the Champions League with Liverpool all had good chances to score, but they could not find a way past inspired Zimbabwe’s goalkeeper Edmore Sibanda.

In the end, Trezeguet’s goal just before half time proved the difference between the sides, ensuring that the hosts got off to a winning start in front of a packed crowd. After seeing his players drop off in the final quarter of the game, though, Aguirre has called for an improved performance against Congo DR, who are 60 places better off than Zimbabwe in the FIFA rankings.

Egypt are currently on a good run in the competition having now lost only once in their last 26 matches in Africa’s number one football competition- the only loss came against Cameroon in 2017 final – and another victory on Wednesday will allow Aguirre to turn focus towards the last 16.

Salah may not have got off the mark against Zimbabwe, meanwhile, but he has still been involved in four of his side’s last six goals in the biennial showpiece – two goals of his own and two assists. If the competition’s most successful side are to land an eighth crown, they will need their superstar forward to find his groove.

Despite being below par against Zimbabwe, Aguirre might stick with the same side on Wednesday. Salah was selected in his preferred right-sided position in attacking midfield, offering support to Mohsen who started in the middle of the attack.

Walid Soliman, Amr Warda, and Nabil Emad were all introduced from the bench last time out and are pushing for inclusion in this key match.

Injuries: None
Suspensions: None

Congo D.R

Third-place finishers in 2015, Congo DR are facing an early exit from this year’s AFCON unless they can down Egypt and well and truly shake up Group A. The players were forced to apologise to supporters following their shock loss to Uganda, which leaves them in a very delicate situation in Group A standings.

Skipper Youssouf Mulumbu described the defeat as “humiliating” and has vowed to make amends to the 90 million population of Congo, starting with victory over the much-fancied tournament hosts. One of the positive news for the Leopards is that they have not lost two games in a row at this stage of the competition since the 2004 edition when lost all three games in the group stage.

With Zimbabwe to face in their final group match later in the week, the Leopards need to get off the mark in Cairo on Wednesday. A disrupted build-up to their meeting with Uganda, with the final training session on the eve of the match being cancelled because of logistical reasons, clearly did not help. Florent Ibenge knows that the pressure is on to put things right if Congo DR are to progress out of the group phase for the third in succession.

Ibenge may tweak things slightly after suffering a shock loss last week. Middlesbrough striker Britt Assombalonga, a second-half sub against Uganda, is among those in contention to return to the starting lineup. Yannick Bolasie offered little, meanwhile, but he is one of the more talented players in the squad and should retain his place out wide.

Injuries: None
Suspensions: None

 

Head to Head

The host nation have won two out of their last three games against the Leopards in the history of AFCON, losing the other.

Congo D.R on the other hand hold a wonderful record against Egypt as they are the only team to have eliminated Egypt at the AFCON when they have hosted the tournament, doing so in the semi-finals of the 1974 edition- the last time Congo DR lifted the cup.

Not since March 2012 have the sides faced off, with that friendly match finishing goalless.

 

Possible lineup

Egypt possible starting XI: El-Shenawy; Elmohamady, Alaa, Hegazi, Ashraf; Hamed, Elneny; Salah, El Said, Trezeguet; Mohsen.

Congo DR possible starting XI: Matampi; Mpeko, Luyindama, Tisserand, Masuaku; Bokadi; Elia, Mbemba, M’Poku, Bolasie; Assombalonga.

Betting Tips

Egypt are given 1.44 odd for them to win which shows they are the favourites to win the match but there’s is a room for taking a risk when it comes to betting and football is a game of surprises.

Congo D.R have 8.20 odd to win the game and if you can take a risk of staking ₦2,500 you have a possible return of ₦20,500.

Prediction

Egypt may not have been at their best against Zimbabwe in the opening fixture but, as the former Espanyol boss said post-match, winning was all that mattered when it comes to games like this.

The Pharaohs still have work to do if they are to progress as Group A winners, and they can take a huge step towards achieving that with three more points against the Leopards of Congo D.R in Cairo.

Predicted scores: Egypt 2-1 Congo D.R.