When: Wednesday August 14, 2013
Kick Off 5.30pm (EAT)
Where: El Gouana
Uganda Cranes will be searching for only their second win over The Pharaohs of Egypt when the two nations meet in an international friendly game at El Gouana on Wednesday.
Cranes’ last and only win over Pharaohs came way back in 1963 in the 1965 All Africa Games qualifiers when late Ali Kitonsa’s hat trick gave Uganda a 4-1 win.
Uganda and Egypt will be using the friendly game to fine tune their squads ahead of the final group games of the 2014 World Cup qualifiers.
Uganda will face Senegal in a must win tie in group J while Egypt tussle it out against Guinea in a dead rubber as the Pharaohs are already through to the final round having attained an unassailable lead in group G.
EGYPT TEAM NEWS:
Egypt Coach Bob Bradley will (minor knock on kidney) plus most of his key players from Al Ahly and Zamalek who have been excused from the game as their clubs have tough engagements in CAF competitions over the weekend.
Nevertheless, Ahly's goalie Mossad Awad, who is ineligible to play in Africa, and suspended midfielders Hossam Ashour, Ahmed Fathi and Zamalek's defender Mahmoud Fathallah are available for selection.
Elmohamady’s slot has been filled by ENPPI midfielder Ahmed Rifaat; a late inclusion by Coach Bradley.
MAN TO WATCH:
Mohamed Salah: He is only 21 but the FC Basel striker is proving to be the man destined to replace the legendary Hossam Hassan. In just 22 appearances, Salah has netted 15 goals. In the absence of Muhammad Aboutreka, Salah is expected to be the main man for Pharaohs.
EGYPT SQUAD:
Goalkeepers: Mohamed Sobhy (Ismaily) and Mosaad Awad (Ahly)
Defenders: Ahmed Fathi (Ahly), Mahmoud Fathallah (Zamalek), Ahmed Samir (Dakhlya), Adam El-Abd (Brighton, England), Ahmed Sobhi(ENPPI), Ahmed Samir Farag (Lierse, Belgium) and Ahmed Hegazy (Fiorentina, Italy)
Midfielders: Hossam Ashour (Ahly), Amr Soulaya (Ismaily), Hossam Ghaly (Lierse, Belgium), Ahmed Hamoudy (Smouha), Mohamed El-Nenny (Basel FC, Switzerland), Ahmed Rifaat (Enppi)
Strikers: Mohamed Salah (Basel FC, Switzerland) and Ahmed Hassan 'Koka' (Rio Ave, Portugal), Ahmed Temsah (Al-Dhofar, Oman)
UGANDA CRANES TEAM NEWS:
Europe based midfielders Martin Kayongo Mutumba and Tony Mawejje joined the rest of the squad on Monday evening while skipper Andrew Mwesigwa is expected to link up with the team later on Tuesday with reports he is already in Cairo.
US based defender Henry Kalungi is yet to join the team and reports from El Gouana where the team is camped are yet to receive any communication from him.
Simba SC goalie Abbey Dhaira failed to link up with the team with no reason advanced despite being named on the traveling squad. Bidvest Wits goalie Denis Onyango who is yet to feature under Micho is expected to get some playing time.
With six substitutions agreed on for this game, at least all but one or two players won’t have a run in.
MAN TO WATCH:
Martin Mutumba Kayongo: All eyes will be on the AIK man who put up last week. Mutumba is steadily getting his groove back following his poor show against Senegal in what was only his second appearance for Cranes. He is expected to be the main man upon which Cranes rely for creativity.
