The Pharaohs have won only twice and lost three of the nine meetings against the Super Eagles. Interestingly though, when the two sides last met in the group stages (2010), Egypt won the tie (3-1) and then went on to lift the trophy.
Islam Silimani, Algeria’s all-time top scorer with 40 goals is also expected to be vital for the team and so well Said Benrahma who had picked up good form with West Ham in the English Premier League
The Panthers made several attacks at goal in the first 10 minutes, but it was Boupendza’s 17th tight angled strike that made the difference.
Ghana found themselves trailing. Thomas Partey attempted to cut out a ball inside the box but instead was cut off by Boufal who then took an unstoppable rocket that left the keeper rooted to his spot.
Captain Naby Keita floated in a clever ball behind the Flames defense towards José Kante who neatly found Sylla to finish off a sweeping Syli National move and secure the victory.
Coach Alliou Cisse had gone into the match with a squad of only 17 players after his camp was weakned by COVID-19 which put out among others first choice keeper Edouard Mendy and influential skipper Kalidou Koulibaly.
The inspirational skipper Aubameyang has played a role in 69pc of Gabon’s goals in the Africa Cup of Nations, netting six goals and providing three assists out of the 13 goals they have scored in the competition.
Ahead of their first match, Coach Cisse is hugely handicapped as he only has 17 players to choose from, the rest of the players having been sidelined after testing positive for COVID.
The team which had been camping in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia have however been boosted with the availability of star striker Richard Mbulu who had been left behind after testing positive previously.
The Walia Ibex played a huge chunk of the match with 10 men after Yared Bayeh was sent off after 12 minutes for a tackle on Julio Tavares.
