After a big win against Nigeria, the Pharaohs will be looking to maul the Mambas...

After beating Nigeria’s Super Eagles 3-1 on Tuesday, the Pharaohs will be firing from all cylinders to register another big win that will see them sail to the quarter-finals of the Africa Cup of Nations, the last match not withstanding.

By beating Nigeria, who are one of the best teams on the continent, Egypt scored a great boost in their campaign as they look set to win the third title in a row and seventh all together. Hassan Shehata reminded his players after the massive victory that the battle for the title has yet to be won, but the Pharaohs look like the team to beat in the tournament.

Despite missing some of their best players like Amr Zaki, Mido and Mohamed Aboutrika, Egypt tore Nigeria into pieces in a match where they had to be mentally strong to comeback from a goal down. Mozambique may not stall Egypt’s march to the quarters but some ‘small’ teams have already posted surprise results in the opening matches of the tournament.
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Al Ahli’s Ahmed Fathi has told his teammates that playing against Mozambique will not be a walk in the park. This is a fact that Egypt must be aware of unless they want to wait for the last match before they are assured of romping to the next round. But with on-form players like skipper Hassan, Emad Metaeb and Mohamed Zidan, Egypt look unstoppable.

Are The Mambas Set To Post A Surprise Result?

Mozambique may not have won their opening match against Benin, but they showed greater resilience and teamwork which may take them places, if not in this tournament, in other competitions as the team continue to gel.

A 2-2 draw was a deserving score for a team that came from two goals down to equalise against opponents almost of similar standing on the continent. The Mambas have faced the Pharaohs twice at the African Cup of Nations competition, in 1986 and 1998, and on both occasions Egypt won 2-0 and eventually went on to win the competition.

Will Mozambique again give Egypt that through pass for a triumphant run to the 2010 title? On paper, Egypt look indomitable when ranked against Mozambique. But the Mambas have shown in the last few matches that they are a team in the works always improving with every match.

They dropped vital points against Benin and failed to win their first match in the tournament. Coach Mart Nooij has greatly improved the team and the Dutchman must come up with a game plan that will contain the Egyptians. He has players like Tico-Tico, Dario Monteiro and Goncalves Fumo who can easily deliver the goods. The question is, are they up to the challenge?

TEAM NEWS

Egypt

After the Nigeria match, reports in Egypt indicated that defender Wael Gomaa and midfield duo Hosni Abd-Rabou and Hossam Ghaly took part in the 3-1 victory over Nigeria while suffering from a bad flu. The latter two were replaced in the second half. The same reports have indicated today that the three players have overcome the flu and will feature in the match against Mozambique.

Squad

Goalkeepers: Essam El-Hadary (Ismaili), Abdel-Wahed El-Sayed (Zamalek), Mahmoud Abou El-Seoud (Mansoura)

Defenders: El-Motasem Salem (Ismaili), Hani Saeid (Zamalek), Wael Gomaa (Ahly), Mahmoud Fathalla (Zamalek), Abdel-Zaher El-Sakaa (Eskasheir of Turkey), Sayed Moawaed (Ahli), Mohamed Abdel-Sahfei (Zamalek), Ahmed Fathi (Ahli), Ahmed El-Mohammadi (Enppi)

Midfielders: Hosni Abd Rabou (Ahly Dubai), Abdel-Aziz Tawfik (Enppi), Ahmed Hassan (Ahly), Hossam Ghali (El-Nasr of Saudi Arabia), Ahmed Eid Abdel-Malek (Harras El-Hedoud), Mohamed Nagy (Ittihad), Mahmoud Abdel-Razek (Zamalek)

Forwards: Emad Meteib (Ahly), Ahmed Raouf (Enppi), Mohamed Zidan (Borussia Dortmund), Sayed Hamdi (Petrojet)

Mozambique

The team is not facing any injury concerns and coach Mart Nooij will have a full squad to choose from against the Egyptians.

Squad

Goalkeepers: Bino (Liga Muculmana), Kampango (Tersana, Egypt), Lama (Liga Muculmana)

Defenders: Campira (Desportivo Maputo), Dario Khan (Al Kharitiyah, Qatar), Fanuel (Liga Muculmana), Mexer (Desportivo Maputo), Miro (Platinum Stars, South Africa), Paito (FC Sion, Switzerland), Simao (Panathinaikos, Greece), Whisky (Ferroviario Maputo), Zainadine Junior (Desportivo Maputo)

Midfielders: Danito Parraque (Ferroviario Maputo), Dominques (Mamelodi Sundowns, South Africa), Genito (Nea Salamina, Cyprus), Goncalves Fumo (Olympiakos, Cyprus), Josimar (Costa dol Sol), Momed Hagy (Ferroviario Maputo), Nelinho (Desportivo Maputo), Ze Luis (Baladeyet Al Mahalla, Egypt)

Forwards: Helder Pelembe (Maxaquene), Dario Monteiro (SuperSport United, South Africa), Tico-Tico (Jomo Cosmos, South Africa)

Players to Watch

Egypt

Mohamed Zidan, the Borussia Dortmund striker didn’t score in the match against Nigeria but he was always a threat in the goal-mouth area and provided an assist.

Mozambique

Tico-Tico also didn’t score against Benin but the striker has been an offensive stalwart in the Mozambican campaign and if not properly marked, he will surprise the Egyptian defence.