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Egypt and Ghana will meet in a huge AFCON Group B clash tonight as both countries look to keep their tournament hopes alive.
Mohamed Salah had to save his country in their opening game against Mozambique, scoring a 97th-minute penalty to claim a last-gasp draw.
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Last year’s finalists were seconds away from a shock defeat but they managed to claim a point – unlike their next opponents, the Black Stars.
Ghana were beaten by Cape Verde in their opening game, with manager Chris Hughton coming under fire for the worst possible start to the tournament.
Egypt vs Ghana: More AFCON pain for Mo?
Salah provided the assist for Egypt’s opening goal of the tournament before scoring a late penalty to prevent a shocking start.
The Liverpool superstar felt the pain of losing out at the Africa Cup of Nations two years ago when his country lost on penalties to Senegal in the final.
This time around, the Pharaohs want to go a step further and get their hands on the trophy for the first time since 2010.
However, an almost catastrophic start to the tournament will have brought back bad memories and they will now have to respond.
It won’t be an easy task against Ghana who boast a strong squad, but after their unexpected defeat, the morale in the camp will be low.
Whichever team comes out on top in this game will likely make it through the group stage and Salah will be desperate to pick up three points.
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Egypt vs Ghana: Team news
Egypt XI: El-Shenawy, Kamal, Hegazy, Abdelmonem, Hamdi, Fathi, Elneny, Marmoush, Ashour, Salah, Mohamed.
Subs: Sobhi, Gabal, Hany, Gabr, Fatouh, Zizo, Fathy, Trezegeut, Hamada, Attia, Hassan, Kahraba.
Ghana XI: Ofori, Odoi, Djiku, Salisu, Mensah, Ashimeru, Abdul Samed, Kudus, Semenyo, J. Ayew, Williams.
Subs: Wollacott, Seidu, Amartey, Opoku, Baba, Paintsil, Bukari, Owusu, Nuamah, A. Ayew, Sowah.
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Egypt vs Ghana: What has been said?
Ghana boss Hughton was reportedly confronted by an angry fan following the Black Stars’ opening game defeat at AFCON.
The result has left his future in the job looking worrying and he admitted his disappointment in his side’s start to the tournament.
He said: “We are incredibly, hugely disappointed with the result. We came into the game with a game plan.
“We changed the way of playing, the system a bit so that we could start on the front foot.
“We thought the team that was put out was certainly a more offensive team. This was our intention.
“I think it rocked us the goal that we conceded but I thought we got back into the game.”
He continued: “At that stage [after equalising], it looked like we could go on and win it.
“We are hugely, hugely disappointed with our result.
“And I know, and this group of players also know, how the Ghanaian people see this game, see this tournament and our expectations going into this one.”
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Egypt vs Ghana: How to follow
This Africa Cup of Nations clash will take place on Thursday, January 18.
The game is being held at the Stade Felix Houphouet-Boigny in Abidjan, Ivory Coast and kick-off is scheduled for 8pm UK time.
The game will be broadcast live on Sky Sports Football and Sky Sports Main Event.
talkSPORT and talkSPORT.com will also keep you up to date with all the latest.
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