In a crucial battle for a spot in the Africa Cup of Nations knockout stages, Egypt is set to face Cape Verde at the Felix Houphouet Boigny Stadium on Monday night. Desperate for a win, Egypt has only managed two points from their initial two matches in the competition.
The 2023 Africa Cup of Nations has been a remarkable journey for Cape Verde, securing a place in the knockout rounds regardless of the match’s outcome. The Blue Sharks began their campaign with a stunning 2-1 victory over Ghana, sealed by a dramatic stoppage-time winner from Ankaragucu forward Garry Rodrigues. They continued their success by dominating Mozambique 3-0 in their second match, solidifying their top spot in the group with a game in hand.
This triumph over The Mambas marked Cape Verde’s fourth-ever victory at the AFCON, representing the first time they achieved consecutive wins in the tournament’s history. While the pressure is off, The Blue Sharks aim to claim another significant victory, entering the knockout stages with tremendous momentum.
Contrastingly, Egypt has struggled to make an impact in the tournament. Their woes began with a 2-2 draw against group outsiders Mozambique, followed by another 2-2 draw against Ghana. Some argue that Egypt’s points were fortuitous, benefiting from errors by The Black Stars.
Before these draws, Egypt hadn’t conceded more than a single goal in 11 AFCON matches. This marks the first time since 1992 that they failed to win their first two matches in the competition. The Pharaohs face a precarious situation, with potential elimination if they lose and either Ghana or Mozambique wins the other match in the group, scheduled simultaneously.
Egypt’s challenge is intensified by the absence of captain Mohamed Salah. The team, known for consistent knockout stage appearances, is in jeopardy, having only missed the cut once in their last 12 AFCON appearances.
Cape Verde enters the decisive clash with an impressive AFCON form of WW and an overall form of LDWLWW. Meanwhile, Egypt’s AFCON form is marked by two draws (DD), with an overall form of DWWWDD. The stage is set for a gripping encounter as both teams vie for progression in this prestigious tournament.
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