Egypt vs Ghana: Mohamed Salah aiming to keep hopes of AFCON glory alive as giants clash – kick-off time, team news and how to follow

11 months ago 61

ARTICLE AD

Egypt and Ghana will meet in a huge Group B clash on Thursday night as both countries look to keep their AFCON 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.

Salah scored late on, but it was only enough for a pointCredit: AFP

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.

There will be concerns that Egypt are heading towards more heartbreakCredit: Getty

Egypt vs Ghana: Team news

Egypt have no injury concerns ahead of this huge game with Salah fully fit.

Arsenal’s Mohamed Elneny was substituted against Mozambique but he is expected to start in midfield once again.

West Ham’s Mohammed Kudus missed out on the Ghana squad for their opening game against Cape Verde as he recovered from a knock.

However, he is said to be returning to training ahead of this clash and is expected to be fit to play this time around.

Andre Ayew and Inaki Williams only played half an hour each last time out, meaning they could be drafted in from the off on Thursday.

Ayew may come into the starting line-up for GhanaCredit: Getty

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."