Egypt, one of the most successful nations in African football history, will be looking to field a strong lineup to secure a victory. Their squad boasts a blend of experienced veterans and exciting young talents.
Goalkeeper: Mohamed El-Shenawy is expected to start in goal. He is a reliable shot-stopper and has been a key player for Egypt in recent years.
Defense: The defense is likely to be anchored by Ahmed Hegazi and Mahmoud Hamdy, two experienced center-backs who are known for their physicality and aerial ability. Omar Kamal and Ahmed Fathy are expected to start as full-backs, providing width and attacking threat down the flanks.
Midfield: Mohamed Elneny and Amr El-Sulya are likely to be deployed in a double pivot, providing defensive solidity and distributing the ball effectively. Mohamed Salah and Mahmoud Trezeguet will be deployed as attacking midfielders, offering creativity and attacking flair.
Attack: The attacking line is likely to be led by the talismanic Mohamed Salah, who is one of the best players in the world. He will be supported by Mostafa Mohamed, who is a powerful and clinical striker.
Mozambique National Football Team Lineup
Mozambique, a team with a rich footballing history, will be looking to cause an upset against their more fancied opponents. They have a talented squad of players who are capable of causing problems for any team on their day.
Goalkeeper: The starting goalkeeper is likely to be Ernani, who is a safe pair of hands and has been a regular for his club side.
Defense: The defense is likely to be marshaled by Mexer and Reinildo Mandava, two experienced center-backs who are known for their physicality and aerial ability. Edmilson Dove and Domingos Macandza are expected to start as full-backs, providing width and attacking threat down the flanks.
Midfield: The midfield is likely to be anchored by Clésio Bauque and Zainadine Júnior, two experienced midfielders who are known for their defensive solidity and ball distribution. Luís Miquissone and Stelio are expected to be deployed as attacking midfielders, offering creativity and attacking flair.
Attack: The attacking line is likely to be led by Nelson Divrassone, who is a talented and versatile forward. He will be supported by Gildo, who is a powerful and clinical striker.
Key Players to Watch
Mohamed Salah: The Liverpool star is undoubtedly the most talented player on the pitch and will be the key to Egypt’s hopes of victory.
Mexer: The Rennes defender is a rock at the back for Mozambique and will be crucial to their defensive organization.
Nelson Divrassone: The forward is a talented and versatile player who will be a threat to the Egyptian defense.
Match Preview
This promises to be a fascinating encounter between two teams with contrasting styles and ambitions. Egypt, with their wealth of talent and experience, will be the favorites to win the match. However, Mozambique are a dangerous team and will be looking to cause an upset.
FAQs
What were the starting lineups for Egypt and Mozambique in their AFCON 2023 match?
Egypt’s Starting XI:
Goalkeeper: Mohamed El Shenawy
Defenders: Mohamed Hany, Ahmed Hegazy, Mohamed Abdelmonem, Mohamed Hamdy
Midfielders: Hamdy Fathy, Mohamed Elneny, Mahmoud Trezeguet, Ahmed Zizo
Forwards: Mohamed Salah, Mostafa Mohamed
Mozambique’s Starting XI:
Goalkeeper: Ernani Siluane
Defenders: Edmilson Dove, Mexer, Reinildo Mandava, Domingos
Midfielders: Guima, Alfons Amade, Witi, Domingues
Forwards: Gildo Vilanculos, Stanley Ratifo
Who were the key players to watch in this match?
Egypt:
Mohamed Salah: The Liverpool forward and Egyptian captain, known for his exceptional goal-scoring abilities.
Mohamed Elneny: Arsenal midfielder, pivotal in controlling the game’s tempo.
Mozambique:
Domingues (Elias Pelembe): The experienced captain with over 100 international caps.
Reinildo Mandava: Defender from Atlético Madrid, crucial in Mozambique’s defense.
What was the final score and who scored the goals?
The match ended in a 2-2 draw.
Egypt’s Goals:
Mostafa Mohamed: Scored in the 2nd minute.
Mohamed Salah: Converted a penalty in stoppage time.
Mozambique’s Goals:
Witi: Scored in the 55th minute.
Clésio: Scored in the 58th minute.
Were there any significant substitutions during the match?
Yes, notable substitutions included:
Egypt:
Omar Marmoush replaced Mahmoud Trezeguet.
Omar Kamal came on for Mohamed Hany.
Mozambique:
Bruno Langa replaced Domingues.
Clésio substituted in and scored shortly after.
How did this result impact the standings in Group B?
The draw provided both teams with one point each, influencing their positions in Group B and affecting their strategies for subsequent matches to secure advancement to the knockout stages.
Where can I watch the match highlights?
Match highlights are typically available on sports broadcasting platforms and official AFCON channels.
What were the tactical formations employed by both teams?
Egypt:
Formation: 4-2-2-2
Focused on utilizing wing play and the attacking prowess of Salah and Mostafa Mohamed.
Mozambique:
Formation: 4-2-3-1
Emphasized a solid defensive structure with quick counter-attacks.
Were there any injuries reported during the match?
There were no major injuries reported during the match.
Who officiated the match?
The match officials were appointed by the Confederation of African Football (CAF).
What are the historical head-to-head statistics between Egypt and Mozambique?
Prior to this match, Egypt had a dominant record against Mozambique, winning all previous encounters in AFCON tournaments.
To conclude
The 2-2 draw between Egypt and Mozambique in the AFCON 2023 showcased the competitive nature of African football. Egypt, with its star-studded lineup including Mohamed Salah and Mohamed Elneny, was expected to dominate. Salah’s early involvement led to Mostafa Mohamed’s goal in the 2nd minute, setting the tone for what many anticipated would be a straightforward match for the Pharaohs.
However, Mozambique demonstrated resilience and tactical acumen. Under the leadership of captain Domingues and the defensive solidity provided by players like Reinildo Mandava, they managed to regroup after the early setback. The second half saw a revitalized Mozambique side, with Witi’s header in the 55th minute and Clésio’s swift goal in the 58th minute turning the game on its head.
Egypt’s persistence paid off in stoppage time when Mohamed Salah converted a penalty, salvaging a point for his team. This result was significant as it broke Egypt’s streak of victories against Mozambique in AFCON history, highlighting the evolving competitiveness of African nations on the football stage.
For fans and analysts, this match was a testament to the unpredictability and excitement inherent in football. It emphasized the importance of not underestimating any opponent, regardless of historical records. Both teams left the pitch with valuable lessons, and the result had implications for their strategies in the remaining group stage matches.
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