The 32nd Africa Cup of Nations is just around the corner, and the hosts Egypt are the team to beat.
The best sides in Africa will head to the land of the Pharaohs for AFCON 2019, the continents’ showcase and some of the best players from the Premier League are set to make their presence felt; none more so than Egypt’s Mo Salah. He’s the main man in the hosts’ front line and will be up there in the AFCON 2019 news from start to finish.
Egypt won’t have it all it s own way. The Pharaoh’s love this competition but Africa is the home for a number of powerful football nations with players who ply their trade in the top leagues in Europe, particularly in England.
It’s all about Mo
Star man Mo Salah had another great season in the Premier League as Liverpool came so close to winning a first title in three decades. Losing the Premier League to Manchester City, despite amassing a huge 97 points was hard to take for Jurgen Klopp’s Reds. Salah didn’t hit the heights of his Golden Boot 2017/18 season, but he still finished as the league’s joint top scorer amidst fierce competition.
And Liverpool and Salah have a Champions League final to look forward to after the Reds completed a stunning semi-final win over Barcelona. If they can beat Spurs in the final that will give Salah, and his team-mate Sadio Mane, a massive lift before the Africa Cup of Nations gets underway.
Salah has been as prolific for his country as he has for his club, scoring 39 goals in 62 games for Egypt. And he could well form a partnership with Olympiakos striker Kouka, the 26 year old has scored five times for his country and at 6 foot 3 is a good target man if Egypt wants to mix it up a little.
Egypt had a wretched time at the Russia 2018 World Cup, with Salah hampered by injury they lost to Uruguay and hosts Russia, but most disappointingly to a limited Saudi Arabia side.
But the Pharaoh’s have fantastic pedigree in this competition, winning the tournament seven times in 24 appearances, including three triumphs this century, in 2006, 2008 and 2010. That makes them the most successful team in AFCON and they are one of only three African teams to ever make the FIFA top ten, alongside Nigeria and Morocco.
The hosts have been pitted against Zimbabwe, Uganda and Congo in Group A and play the opener against Zimbabwe on the 21st June when Aston Villa’s Ahmed Elmohamady and West Brom’s Ahmed Hegazi could make a start in defence, while Arsenal’s Mohamed Elneny will hope to impress in midfield while Salah does his work up front.
Who can stop the Pharaohs?
There are six African teams ahead of 57th placed Egypt in the FIFA Rankings, with Senegal the highest in 23rd. But in the AFCON 2019 betting odds the hosts are likely to start as favourites ahead of Senegal.
Home advantage means a whole lot, but the Pharaoh’s will be well aware of the threat posed by their rivals. Senegal will be a team to watch, spearheaded by Liverpool’s Sadio Mane, who can be equally as prolific as his club mate. Mane was the Premier League top scorer alongside Salah and Arsenal’s Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, but at 140 minutes per goal, the Senegalese striker was eight minutes better than his Liverpool team-mate.
Ghana could pose a serious threat too, featuring Crystal Palace’s Jeff Schlupp who can play equally as well at left back or left winger. He’s a strong player with electrifying pace as part of a counter attacking Eagles side; and was part of the Leicester City team which stunned the football world by winning the 2016 Premier League.
But I think Nigeria could push the hosts the furthest. The Super Eagles have been a force in world football for some time now, and a current Leicester star is at the heart of their team. Wilfred Ndidi is thriving at Leicester under the guidance of Brendan Rodgers and he too is a powerful figure, with a strong tackle and an eye for the killer pass. He could line up alongside Arsenal’s Alex Iwobi who, while struggling to hold down a first team slot at the Emirates, has caught the eye with some skilful displays.
So the Pharaohs are favourites, but they have plenty of rivals ready to snatch the prize.
It’s sure to be another fantastic tournament, and it will be even better if you keep it here for the up to date news, match reports and the very latest SBOBET odds.
Bring it on!
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