AFCON 2023 Preview: The Pharaohs takes on Wobbly Black Stars on Thursday evening

The seven-time African champions, Egypt, experienced a nail-biting encounter in their opening match against Mozambique during the 2023 AFCON. Trailing to Mozambique in the final minutes of stoppage time, they faced a potential upset. However, Mohamed Salah, the star from Liverpool, displayed remarkable composure, converting a 97th-minute penalty to salvage a draw after Mostafa Mohammed’s first-half opener had been canceled out.

Before this dramatic draw, Egypt had been in formidable form, enjoying a three-game winning streak in World Cup qualifiers, scoring 10 goals and keeping clean sheets. Rui Vitoria’s men had been unbeaten in six consecutive matches across all competitions, securing four wins and two draws since a friendly defeat in September.

With their recent draw, Egypt aims to avoid a rare occurrence – failing to win their opening two games at the AFCON finals for the first time in over three decades. The last time Egypt faced such a setback was in 1992 when they lost to Zambia and suffered a defeat against Ghana.

Examining the recent form of both teams in the Africa Cup of Nations and across all competitions provides insights into their current standing. Egypt’s AFCON form stands at a draw, while their overall form displays a commendable record of three wins and three draws. Conversely, Ghana suffered a defeat in their AFCON opener, and their overall form shows two wins, one draw, and three losses.

As the stage is set for this critical encounter, both Egypt and Ghana will be vying for a pivotal victory to enhance their chances of progressing in the tournament. The clash promises not only football brilliance but also the determination of two proud nations seeking continental glory.