The African Cup of Nations becomes increasingly attractive to fans worldwide with each passing year. This is easily explained – the number of strong performers from the continent in European championships grows annually, consequently raising the level of African national teams and the overall competition standard.

The Egyptian national team boasts perhaps the main football star of Africa in the last 5-10 years – Mohamed Salah. Interestingly, the Liverpool forward has yet to secure the most prestigious trophy of his continent. In this article, we will discuss the team from the land of pyramids and evaluate its chances in the tournament. It's worth noting that the bookmaker company mostbet azerbaijan considers Egypt among the top contenders for winning the tournament.


Team Outlook for the Tournament

Regardless of the years and circumstances, the Egyptian national team has always been considered a serious contender for the title of African champion. The footballers from the land of pyramids have won the tournament a remarkable 7 times, setting a record in its history. However, recent tournaments have not been too successful for the Egyptians, and at times, the team failed to meet the expectations of experts and their own supporters.

After three consecutive triumphs in 2006, 2008, and 2010 (an historic achievement unmatched before or since), Egypt struggled to qualify for the next three editions of the tournament. They returned to the African Cup in 2017, reaching the final but losing to Cameroon with a score of 1-2. That final match marked the first in the career of the team's main star, Salah.

The forward, renowned for his performances with Liverpool, plays a crucial role for the Egyptian national team. He has scored 55 goals for the national team, trailing just 13 goals behind Egypt's record-holder, Hossam Hassan.

After 2017, the series of disappointments continued for the Pharaohs. In the 2019 African Cup, Egypt suffered a defeat in the round of 16 against South Africa (0-1) in front of their home fans at the Cairo International Stadium. This match almost became the main tragedy in the history of Egyptian football. In 2022, Egypt performed better but once again failed to win the tournament, losing to Senegal in the final after a penalty shootout.


Squad and Coaching Staff

Coach Rui Vitoria had to make two changes in the initial squad for the tournament due to injuries. Nabil Koki and Osama Galal will not be able to assist their teammates because of injuries, and their places were taken by Mohanad Lashin and Yasser Ibrahim.

Although Egypt is traditionally considered one of the strongest teams in Africa, a lion's share of the players in this team competes in the local league. Besides Salah, European top leagues will also be represented by Elneny (Arsenal), Omar Marmoush (Eintracht Frankfurt), and Mostafa Mohamed (Nantes). There will also be several representatives from the Turkish league.

The coaching position is one of the team's strong points. Vitoria had a successful stint with Benfica, and he took charge of Egypt in 2022, receiving a four-year contract, underscoring the trust and high expectations.

Prediction: Successful fight for medals. If Salah has the best tournament of his life – victory.