Africa Cup of Nations Qualifier: Guinea vs Egypt
Top Two Teams in Group D Face Off
Winner Seals AFCON Qualification
The top two teams in Africa Cup of Nations Qualifying Group D face off Wednesday as Guinea takes on Egypt. Both teams are on the verge of qualifying for the next edition of AFCON. The winner of Wednesday’s match will book a place in the tournament, which will take place from January to February 2024. Notably, the top two teams from each four-team group advance to AFCON. A draw will mean both teams go through, as neither Malawi nor Ethiopia can catch them on points. Let’s look closely at Wednesday’s crucial Africa Cup of Nations Qualifier between Guinea and Egypt.
Africa Cup of Nations Qualifier
Guinea vs Egypt
Date, time:
Location: Grand Stade de Marrakech, Ouahat Sidi Brahim, Morocco
Head-to-Head
Egypt have won their last four matches vs. Guinea, including in the reverse fixture. Mostafa Mohamed scored the game’s only goal as Egypt beat Guinea 1-0 in Cairo last year. Guinea are winless in their last five matches vs. Egypt, and last got a win in this fixture in 1976. Both teams have scored in eight of the last nine head-to-head matchups. So, those interested in betting on soccer may want to look at the “Both Teams to Score” prop.
Guinea Nearing Third Straight AFCON Berth
- Standings: 3-1, 2nd Group D
- Key Absences: None Reported
Guinea enter this match at 3-1 in AFCON qualifiers as their only previous loss came vs. Egypt last June. Since then, Guinea have only won three of their previous six matches, in all competitions.
They did, however, complete a group stage sweep of Ethiopia, with two wins in March. The last few years have been up and down for Guinea. They have a talented roster, but their results are inconsistent.
Guinea failed to win a match in the 2022 World Cup qualifiers. They went 0-4-2 and finished third in their group behind Morocco and Guinea-Bissau. Still, they have qualified for the last two Africa Cup of Nations tournaments and progressed to the round of 16 in both. It’ll take just a point from their previous two matches to return to AFCON.
Some key players for Guinea include midfielders Naby Keita and Ilaix Moriba, along with defender Issiaga Sylla. All are available for this Africa Cup of Nations Qualifier vs. Egypt. While listed as a home match for Guinea, they’ll take on Egypt in Morocco on Wednesday.
Egypt on Winning Streak
- Standings: 3-1, 1st Group D
- Key Absences: M Mohamed Elneny, M Tarek Hamed, F Koka
It’s no secret that Egypt are heavily reliant on star Liverpool winger Mohamed Salah. In the one match he didn’t play in Africa Cup of Nations Qualifiers, Egypt fell 2-0 to Ethiopia.
In the three games he’s appeared in, Egypt are 3-0 and have outscored their opponents by a combined 7-0. Salah is in the squad for the match vs. Guinea and should be the focal point of Egypt’s attack. He’s scored twice and assisted twice in three appearances in qualifiers.
While Salah is expected to play, Egypt are missing some key players due to injury. Arsenal’s Mohamed Elneny has been out long-term with an injury and Egypt will miss his presence in midfield. Fellow midfielder Tarek Hamed is also out for the match. Forward Koka, who has scored six goals in 31 appearances, is a third potential starter out for this match.
Even without them, Egypt have one of the strongest sides in Africa. They managed to get to the 2021 AFCON final, where they lost in penalties to Senegal. Egypt have also won their last five matches in all competitions, which includes an impressive 2-1 victory over Belgium in a friendly last November.
Match Analysis and Odds
Both Guinea and Egypt are expected to qualify for the final tournament. Wednesday’s winner will book their place at AFCON with a game to spare, and Egypt look the more likely of the two sides to get three points.
The Guinea vs Egypt Odds price Egypt at +130 ATS and moneyline favorites. Meanwhile, Guinea +0.5 comes in at -160 odds, but they’ve struggled vs. Egypt in recent years.
Guinea are +230 underdogs as they go for their first win over Egypt since all the way back in 1976. A draw is implied to be more likely, and it would mean both teams qualify for AFCON.
A deadlock displays +170 odds for the match. This has typically been a high-scoring fixture, and over two goals show -155 odds for Wednesday’s match. While Egypt have a game changer, in Mo Salah, Guinea don’t necessarily have a player who can single-handedly take over a match.
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