Black Stars Day Of Redemption Against Egypt Is Here

The Black Stars of Ghana will come up against the Pharoahs of Egypt in their second Group B clash in the ongoing AFCON 2023 at the Stade Félix Houphouët Boigny in Abidjan on Thursday.

The encounter is largely seen as a redemption mission for the Ghana Black Stars if they are to remain in the 34th edition of the continental championship.

Ghana lost 1: 2 to Cape Verde in the group B opening encounter last Sunday January 13, 2024 whist Egypt on the other hand rebounded from behind to secure a point with a late penalty in their 2-2 draw against Mozambique.

Nothing short of a victory is therefore what the Black Stars need to enhance their chances of avoiding a second consecutive AFCON group stage exit following the 1-2 defeat to Cape Verde.

Coach Chris Hughton and his boys are fully aware of this are determined to do just that against the Pharoahs in tonight’s encounter.

The coach who is focused on today’s game says his team’s level has to be higher against Egypt than it was against Cape Verde who defeated them.

“Our level has to be higher. We are playing on paper, a very good side, a better team. So we know our levels got to be better.” Hughton said at a press conference.

He is hopeful that the return of influential attacking midfielder Mohammed Kudus, who is in an excellent form for his Club West Ham United will help tame the Egyptians this evening.

Kudus missed the openning encounter against Cape Verde due to injury.

Striker Jordan Ayew also in a post match press conference dismissed concerns against the team’s commitment, stating, “We didn’t come here to visit Abidjan; we came here to win.”

He expressed optimism about the team’s determination to qualify from the group stage to avoid a second consecutive group stage exit saying, “Are we disqualified yet? Wait after that happens, then you can talk.”

The injury-time penalty scored by Liverpool’s Mohammed Salah and secured a 2-2 draw with Mozambiqus makes the Egyptians a formidable opponent in Ghana’s quest for redemption.

Egypt’s recent form has been relatively stable with a draw and three wins in their last five matches across all competitions.

Ghana, however, has been struggling with only one win in their last six matches.

Historically, Egypt has had the upper hand in matches against Ghana going into their latest meeting at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations.

The two teams have faced each other 23 times, with Egypt winning 12, Ghana winning 5, and 6 matches ending in draws.

Thursday nights game will be the fifth CAF AFCON meeting between the two giants.

They have already faced each other three times in groups recording 1 victory each, a draw and 2 goals on both sides as well as once in the final which was won by Egypt in 2010 (1-0).

Whies Egypt is the record seven-time winner of the African cup of Nations, Ghana won it four-times, the last one being in 1982.

complied by: Christian Kpesese