Egypt vs Zimbabwe: Match preview, team news, line-ups and prediction | OneFootball

Egypt begin their Africa Cup of Nations campaign on Monday evening, facing Zimbabwe at Stade Adrar.

Egypt finished top of qualifying, picking up 14 points from six games, while Zimbabwe finished second, collecting nine points from six matches.

Match preview

Due to their pedigree, Egypt are one of the favourites and will be aiming to begin this tournament with a victory here.

The record champions will be hoping for inspiration from Mohamed Salah, who is one of the players coach Hossam Hassan name-checked as one of his side’s great players.

The Pharaohs have faced Zimbabwe 15 times, winning nine, losing two, and drawing four.

Zimbabwe head into this competition with little expectation, as they have never progressed beyond the group stage at AFCON.

The Warriors will look to frustrate Egypt by sitting deep and pick their moments to trouble the Pharaohs defence, particularly exploiting the potential spaces left behind by the Egyptian wing-backs.

Wolverhampton Wanderers’ Tawanda Chirewa is one of Zimbabwe’s players to look out for in this fixture.

Team news

Hamdi Fathy is sidelined for Egypt, but Zimbabwe has no injury concerns heading into the fixture.

However, Andy Rinomhota is unavailable for the Warriors, following his release from the squad for personal reasons.

Potential starting line-ups

Egypt (3-4-3): Mohamed El Shenawy, Mohamed Hany, Mohamed Hamdy, Rami Rabia, Mahmoud Saber, Marwan Attia, Mohamed Elneny, Ahmed Abou El Fotouh, Mohamed Salah, Mostafa Mohamed, Omar Marmoush

Zimbabwe (4-4–2): Elvis Chipezeze, Divine Lunga, Teenage Hadebe, Munashe Garan’anga, Godknows Murwira, Daniel Msendami, Jonah Fabisch, Sean Fusire, Bill Antonio, Washington Navaya, Prince Dube.

Prediction

Given their pedigree and quality, we fancy Egypt to win 2-0.

Stats from 11v11.com & whoscored.com