Egypt’s forward Mohamed Salah (L) vies for the ball against Senegal’s forward Sadio Mane (R) during the 2022 Qatar World Cup African Qualifiers between Egypt and Senegal on Friday. AFP
Egypt coach Carlos Queiroz says his team “will defend with 16 players” when they protect a 1-0 lead over Senegal on Tuesday in the second leg of an African World Cup play-off.
“What I mean by 16 players is that each one must make the effort of two players, not just one player,” said the Mozambique-born former Real Madrid manager and twice Manchester United assistant manager.
Senegal coach Aliou Cisse says he does not want to see supporters wearing suits in the recently completed Stade du Senegal near Dakar when they confront Egypt.
The outcome could hinge on Egypt snatching an ‘away’ goal – if they do Senegal will face the mammoth task of scoring at least three times to qualify.
Nigeria v Ghana
New Ghana coach Otto Addo is optimistic that the Black Stars can reach the World Cup despite being held 0-0 at home by Nigeria in the first leg.
“The pressure if off us and on them,” he believes. “It was crucial that we did not conceded at home and any score draw in the return match takes us through.
Algeria v Cameroon
Cameroon coach Rigobert Song, who succeeded sacked Portuguese Toni Conceicao after the Cup of Nations hosts came third last month, says star forward Vincent Aboubakar should be fit to face Algeria.
The captain has been battling a heel problem and was taken off at half-time of the first leg in Douala, which Cameroon lost 1-0 with Islam Slimani nodding the match-winner off a late first-half free-kick.
Morocco v DR Congo
“Egypt rely heavily on Salah, Senegal on Mane and Algeria on (Riyad) Mahrez,” says Morocco coach Vahid Halilhodzic, “but Morocco rely on 11 players.”
But after a poor start in the Democratic Republic of Congo, where they conceded once and could have trailed by three goals, Morocco missed a penalty and then equalised to force a 1-1 draw.
Tunisia v Mali
Four crazy minutes in Bamako for Mali defender Moussa Sissako gave Tunisia a 1-0 first-leg lead and, with home advantage, the Carthage Eagles are expected to seal a sixth World Cup appearance.
Sissako conceded an own goal on 36 minutes and was then sent off for a last-defender foul on Seifeddine Jaziri, which automatically rules him out of the return match.
