Hosts Egypt will face a Zimbabwe side, which is picked with talent from Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates, in the opening game of the 2019 Afcon – here is how both teams line up.
Click through the gallery above to see Zimbabwe's line-up!
2019 Africa Cup of Nations
Teams: Egypt vs Zimbabwe
Date: 21 June 2019
Venue: Cairo International Stadium
Kick-Off: 22:00
The 2019 tournament kicks off with a cracker, and many expect the Warriors to put up a good fight against the tournament hosts.
Egypt have won the competition thrice as hosts, lifting the coveted trophy in 1959, 1986 and 2006 at home. The only exception came in 1974, when they finished in third spot.
The contrasts between the Pharaohs and Zimbabwe could not be bigger as Egypt are also the record champions, having won Africa's biggest showpiece seven times overall.
Meanwhile, Sunday Chidzambwe's men have qualified for only their fourth Afcon, and have never made it out of the group stage thus far.
Zim's preparations were overshadowed by a reported bonus payment row, although the Zimbabwe Football Association (Zifa) has denied reports the squad threatened to boycott the opening match.
Egypt are unbeaten at home in 21 successive games, with their last defeat on home soil dating back to January 2016. They will hope the country's superstar Mohamed Salah shines once again – the Liverpool winger was Egypt's top goalscorer in the their qualification campaign with four strikes.
On Zimbabwe's side, former Chiefs forward Knowledge Musona netted five goals during the qualifiers, with the Anderlecht striker and Khama Billiat being the standout names in a squad that features 14 PSL players.
The two teams have met four times previously, with the Pharaohs winning all previous contests, including their only clash in Afcon history at the 2004 tournament.
Here is how both teams line up:
Egypt: El-Shennawy; Mansour, Hegazi, Alaa, Elmohamady; Hamed, Elneny, El-Said, Salah, Trezeguet; Marwan.
Zimbabwe: Sibanda, Darikwa, Lunga, Mudimu, Hadebe, Munetsi, Nakamba, Karuru, Musona, Billiat, Mushekwi
No comments:
Post a Comment