Prediction: Egypt vs Ethiopia

Verdict: Mostafa Mohamed to score

Best odds: 4/5

Bookmaker: ZetBet

Egypt will be hosting Ethiopia at the 30 June Stadium in Cairo on Friday, in a game within the final round of the qualifications for the upcoming African Cup of Nations.

The group has been decided already in terms of which teams will go into the main tournament, and all that remains is for Egypt to secure the top spot, or Guinea to make an unlikely upset.

Egypt

Egypt beat Guinea in the opening round, but then suffered a surpsising defeat away to Ethiopia. Shaking the shock off quickly, they beat Malawi twice, before completing their double over Guinea. They went down to Guinea in that last match through Serhou Guirassy in the 26th minute, but Trezeguet set the score back level three minutes before the break. It was Mostafa Mohamed who dealt the decisive blow for Egypt in the 79th minute.

Egypt are still nursing their wounds dealt by Senegal, first in the final of the last edition of the AFCON, and then in the play-offs for a spot at the World Cup in Qatar. On both occasions, in February and March 2022, respectively, Egypt captain Mohamed Salah was beaten by his club teammate at the time, Sadio Mane, who wore the armband for Senegal.

Obviously motivated by those narrow misses, Rui Vitoria’s men will surely be aiming to conquer the continent and lift the trophy this time.

Team News

Though back in the squad after missing the friendly against Sudan in June, Liverpool star Mohamed Salah will not be a part of the starting XI, the Egyptian FA have confirmed, and he shouldn’t be expected to play at all, unless the game goes the wrong way for his team and his formidable attacking quality is needed.

Therefore, Mostafa Mohamed, who has so far scored four goals in four Ligue 1 games for Nantes this season, is set to lead the attacking line.

Ethiopia

Ethiopia, meanwhile, sit bottom of the group, sharing the tally of four points with Malawi directly above. Neither of these teams have any chance of qualifying for the upcoming AFCON at this late stage of the qualifications, but they do have the chance to spoil the mood of Egypt and Guinea, respectively, ahead of the main tournament.

The opening round saw this team lose away to Malawi, and then they bounced back with the already mentioned 2-0 victory against Egypt at home. This year’s month of March saw Ethiopia lose to Guinea twice within three days, before they were held to a goalless draw at home by Malawi.

Ethiopia qualified for the AFCON just twice in the last decade, in 2013 and 2021, and their failure to do so again this time isn’t much of a surprise, with all due respect.

Team News

One of the Ethiopian players the home side will be watching carefully is captain Shemeles Bekele, who scored twice in the friendly against Guyana in June.

The 33-year-old attacking midfielder is also one of the players to have netted for Ethiopia in this campaign, along with Kenean Markneh, Kitika Jima Ojulu, Dawa Hotessa Dukele and Abubeker Nassir.

Conclusion

Whichever way this clash is viewed, Egypt are the favourites to win without a shred of doubt. Not only will the Pharaohs be looking to ward off any potential challenge for the top spot from Guniea, they’ll also want to pay Ethiopia back for the only defeat they suffered in this campaign so far.

Mohamed will be looking to take advantage of Salah’s absence to relay his club form onto the international stage.

Verdict: Mostafa Mohamed to score

Best odds: 4/5

Bookmaker: ZetBet