Egypt begin their hunt for an eighth Africa Cup of Nations title when they face Mozambique at the Felix Houphouet Boigny Stadium on Sunday.

The Pharaohs, beaten finalists at AFCONs 2017 and 2021, aim to end their drought at the finals, while Os Mambas are featuring at the continental showpiece for the first time since 2010.

Match preview

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Rui Vitoria may have preached caution heading into AFCON 2023, but the Pharaohs are driven by defeats suffered at the deciding fixtures in the 2017 and 2021 tournaments.

Mohamed Salah, the team's talisman, was involved in both losses against Cameroon and Senegal, failing to take a kick in the penalty shootout disappointment to the Lions of Teranga as Egypt's chase for another African title was unsuccessful.

The Liverpool star, who would have been the Pharaohs' fifth penalty taker against the Lions, has stated the importance of victory in the Ivory Coast, and the forward should play a pivotal role in how the seven-time winners fare in the competition.

Vitoria's men were one of the top sides in qualifying, losing only one of their six fixtures — a 2-0 defeat against Ethiopia — and conceding only three times as the North African side kept four clean sheets.

Egypt lost only one game throughout 2023 — a 3-1 friendly loss to Tunisia — and they started 2024 positively with a 2-0 victory over Tanzania on January 7 in a tune-up game for the finals.

A repeat against a side 78 places below them in the FIFA rankings would be just what the doctor ordered for the Pharaohs.

As for their opponents, Mozambique are inexperienced at this level despite participating in four AFCONs — 1986, 1996, 1998 and 2010.

The Mambas comfortably finished second in qualifying, four points behind defending African champions Senegal, to make it to their first Cup of Nations since the finals in Angola 14 years ago.

Chiquinho Conde deserves credit for masterminding their journey to this stage, having seen Mozambique fail to qualify for six consecutive tournaments.

Whether they make it out of a group containing Ghana and Cape Verde remains to be seen, but their history of not winning a game at AFCON dilutes optimism before a ball is kicked.

Os Mambas have lost 10 of their 12 games at previous editions, a statistic that underscores the task facing Chiquinho.

Team News

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Salah was involved in four of Egypt's 10 goals in qualifying, with Mostafa Mohamed a close second (three), and the pair should start on Sunday.

Trezeguet should complete the Pharaohs' attack, while Arsenal's Mohamed Elneny should anchor the team's midfield.

Mozambique currently have no reported injury worries, and the Mambas are expected to utilise a 4-2-3-1 or 4-3-3 against the seven-time winners.

Clesio Bauque was Os Mambas' joint-top scorer with Geny Catamo on two goals in qualifying, and both could play a part against Egypt, with the former possibly starting.

Egypt possible starting lineup:
El-Shenawy; Kamal, Hegazy, Abdelmonem, Fatouh; Ashour, Elneny, Attia; Salah, Mohamed, Trezeguet

Mozambique possible starting lineup:
Ernan; Macandza, Mexer, Malembana, Langa; Guima, Shaquille; Lourenco, Domingues, Clesio; King

We say: Egypt 3-0 Mozambique

While Mozambique may back themselves to secure a shock result, Egypt's superior quality should lead to a comfortable win for the Pharaohs on Sunday.

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