While all eyes could be on the midfield battle where lies abundant skill with the likes of Mohamed Abou-Treika, Hosni Abd-Rabou (Egypt) Steven Pienaar and Siphiwe Tshabalala (South Africa), Egypt’s left flank may steal the show in Saturday’s anticipated African Cup of Nations qualifier against South Africa at Ellis Park.
Ahmed Elmohamady usually makes darting runs down the right but he rarely finds the support he needs to evade challengers and whip in his trademark pinpoint crosses.
The case might be different on the left, however, with full-back Sayed Moawad or Ismaily's Ahmed Samir Farag enjoying support from the likes of Mohamed Abou-Treika and Mohamed Zidan.
Neat combinations between Moawad and the influential duo helped Egypt produce a remarkable display in a thrilling 4-3 defeat to five-time world champions Brazil in the 2009 FIFA Confederations Cup.
Repeated One-twos and overlaps are the weapons the trio usually use to break down opposing backlines.
If their cooperation against South Africa was equally effective, they could cause constant menace to the Bafana Bafana right-back Sibonsio Gaxa and prevent winger Steven Pienaar from pushing forward.
The pace of Moawad and Zidan help them carve out space while Abou-Treika unlocks defences with his deft through passes.
"He doesn't run but kill you with his passes. When he receives the ball he already knows where to make the next pass," South African defender Thabo September, who came face-to-face with Abou-Treika during an African Champions League game between SuperSport and Ahly, said of the classy playmaker.
"He doesn't stay much on the ball, does one touch or two and then passes it on."
Watch Egypt's left-flank combination against Brazil:
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