PREVIEW: Egypt travel to Uganda in chase of World Cup glory

Photo: Aminah Babirye

Egypt visit Kampala, Uganda next Thursday in the third round of their World Cup qualifiers, in hopes of edging closer to the 2018 World Cup finals in Russia.

Date : August 31st, 2017 at 3:00PM (CLT)
Competition: 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifiers
Stadium: Mandela National Stadium, Kampala, Uganda

The two teams met last January in the group stage of the African Cup of Nations, when the Egyptians managed to win 1-0 through Abdallah El-Said’s strike.

The Pharaohs currently top Group E with 6 points from two wins against Congo and Ghana, while the Cranes lie in the second place with 4 points from a draw with Ghana and a win against Congo. Ghana sit third with only one point and Congo languish at the bottom of the group with zero points.

Uganda are set to play their first game under their interim coach, Moses Basena, who believes that the Cranes are capable of defeating Egypt.

Basena took over after the departure of Serbian coach, Micho, who had been in his position as Uganda manager since May 2013, and guided them to their first Africa Cup of Nations in 39 years.

READ: Micho terminates contract with Uganda over unpaid wages.

Almost keeping the same squad, Egypt’s national team coach, Hector Cuper, has been tactically successful with the national team thus far in their world cup journey, but that isn’t enough, the defeat against Tunisia in the African cup of Nations qualifiers raised many questions and doubts about his tactics.

The Argentine added new faces to the squad such as Al Ahly’s Saleh Gomaa, who has been in an excellent form recently, Ismaily’s Mohamed Fathi and Smouha’s Hossam Hassan, but overall is keeping almost the same squad that was in action against Ghana last November.

Moreover, Cuper had to exclude Zamalek’s Ali Gabr due to a knee injury and replace him with Smouha’s Mahmoud Ezzat who showed great quality in the CHAN’s qualifiers. Yet, Al Ahly’s Saad Samir is expected to start as he is more accustomed to Cuper’s tactics.

READ: Cuper announces squad for Uganda clashes.

The last time Egypt played in the World Cup

The Egyptians are craving the 26-year-old world cup lost glory, that has been on since the last participation in the 1990 World Cup in Italy. The match will prove to be a tricky one for the Egyptians as Uganda are considered the underdogs of the group. Cuper’s overly defensive tactics could be costly for Egypt and a win is very crucial to step closer to the world cup; therefore, he has got to grab the away win and make it easier for the second clash a week later.

Predicted XI: Essam El-Hadary, Mohamed Abdelshafy, Saad Samir, Ahmed Hegazi, Ahmed Fathi; Mohamed Elneny, Tarek Hamed; Abdallah El-Said, Mahmoud Trezeguet, Mohamed Salah; Mahmoud Kahraba.