Preview: Egypt to host Tanzania in final warm-up game before AFCON 2023

Mahmoud Elassal , Saturday 6 Jan 2024

Egypt is set to play a friendly game against Tanzania on Sunday as part of their final preparations before heading to Cote d'Ivoire for the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON 2023).

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File Photo: Egyptian winger Trezeguet fights for the ball during the match with Sierra Leon on 19 November, 2023. Photo courtesy of EFA.

 

The Pharaohs are conducting their preparatory camp for the prestigious continental tournament at the new state-of-the-art Egypt Stadium in the International City for the Olympic Games at the New Administrative Capital (NAC) from 2-9 January.

The 53-year-old Portuguese Pharaohs boss Rui Vitoria is expected to assess all the players in his squad during Tanzania’s friendly to determine the final lineup before the start of the tournament.

Last week, the 53-year-old coach named his 27-man squad for the highly anticipated tournament, including key foreign-based players such as Mohamed Salah from Liverpool, Mohamed Elneny from Arsenal, and Mostafa Mohamed from Nantes

AFCON 2023 is scheduled to be played from 13 January to 11 February with 24 national teams competing for a trophy.

Looking for number 8!

 

In Cote d'Ivoire, the Pharaohs, currently ranked 5th in Africa, hope to win their eighth continental title, which would be their first since 2010.

In Group B, Egypt, will kick off their campaign on 14 January against Mozambique before meeting Ghana on 18 January and concluding the group stage against Cape Verde on 22 January.

"We are fully prepared for any challenge, and our national team is in excellent form," said Vitoria.

Taifa Stars

 

On the other side of the pitch on Sunday, the Tanzanian Taifa Stars, ranked 32 in the continent, made it to Cote d'Ivoire and was placed in Group F alongside Morocco, DR Congo, and Zambia.

"We have prepared well for Egypt (Friendly match). We are in good condition for training, and we are not far from the trip to Abidjan and waiting to start the competition. The more important thing will be in Cote d’Ivoire," Tanzania coach Adel Amrouche told CAF Online.

The Taifa Stars will begin their AFCON campaign with a tough test against Morocco on 17 January.

"The players know that this is a big tournament and is the grandest occasion in Africa," he added.

This will be followed by a game against Zambia on 21 January and a match against DR Congo on 24 January.

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