Egypt's U-20 side will be aiming to improve on a disappointing opening display when they meet Guinea in their second game at the African Cup of Nations in Zambian capital Lusaka on Wednesday.

The young Pharaohs put in a lackluster performance to settle for a 0-0 draw with Mali in their opening Group A game on a muddy pitch on Sunday.

They were even lucky not to lose as Mali launched a wave of attacks either side of the interval, only to be denied by some inspired goalkeeping by Egypt's Mohamed El-Ghandour.

"We wanted to win this game, but the playing conditions were very difficult," Egypt coach Moatamed Gamal said after the match.

"In the absence of three points, it is better to leave with a point than a defeat. It’s a good point, though our target was the three points. We will correct our mistakes to move forward in the next game.

"My players know our goal and they delivered a good game. However, the conditions were not the best due to the rain."

Hosts Zambia top the group with three points after opening their campaign with a 1-0 win over Guinea. They take on Mali in a later kick off on Wednesday.

The semi-finalists will take part in the U-20 World Cup which will take place from 20 May to 11 June in South Korea.

Egypt won the last of their four U-20 Nations Cup titles in 2013.

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