Egypt are likely to ring at least two changes to their starting XI in a rematch of last week’s AFCON showdown against Nigeria today in Alexandria with coach Hector Cuper promising an all-out attack.
The Pharaohs were too cautious in Kaduna, but with 40,000 fans cheering them on inside the Borg El-Arab Stadium in Alexandria tonight, they will go for goals against the Super Eagles.
Ahly’s rising star Ramadan Sobhi, who set up Mohamed Salah for the late draw, is tipped for a starting position in a three-man strike force that has Ahmed “Kouka” Hassan from Portuguese club Sporting Braga and top star Salah.
Sobhi was a substitute for Anderlecht striker Mahmoud Hassan ‘Trezeguet’ in Kaduna.
Midfielder and captain Hossam Ghaly is also expected to start against Nigeria to give harmony and stability to the midfield.
Meanwhile, the Super Eagles did not train at the Borg El-Arab Stadium in Alexandria Monday night because they complained of tiredness after a six-hour flight from Abuja.
The Eagles had to endure a two-hour delay at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium in Abuja due to late approval for the chartered flight to fly over Sudan to Egypt.
And that was after a two-hour bus ride from Kaduna to Abuja, also on Monday.
It was further gathered that on Sunday coach Samson Siasia put the squad through a grueling four-hour training session under floodlights at the Ahmadu Bello Stadium in Kaduna.
The crucial Egypt vs Nigeria AFCON second clash will kick off at 6pm Nigerian time.
