{"id":140528,"date":"2024-01-18T12:07:34","date_gmt":"2024-01-18T12:07:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.ghanamma.com\/2024\/01\/18\/black-stars-in-make-or-break-situation-against-egypt\/"},"modified":"2024-01-18T12:07:34","modified_gmt":"2024-01-18T12:07:34","slug":"black-stars-in-make-or-break-situation-against-egypt","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.ghanamma.com\/2024\/01\/18\/black-stars-in-make-or-break-situation-against-egypt\/","title":{"rendered":"Black Stars in make-or-break situation against Egypt \u2013"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Defeat in their first game of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) means the Black Stars find themselves in a tricky situation heading into their next game. The opposition? Egypt.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Ghana will face Egypt in their second game in the competition looking to bounce back from the shocking loss to Cape Verde. A late collapse meant the Black Stars\u2019 winless record at the AFCON continued.<\/p>\n

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Cape Verde\u2019s midfielder #26 Kevin Pina (R) heads the ball during the Africa Cup of Nations (CAN) 2024 group B football match between Ghana and Cape Verde at the Felix Houphouet-Boigny Stadium in Abidjan on January 14, 2024. (Photo by FRANCK FIFE \/ AFP) (Photo by FRANCK FIFE\/AFP via Getty Images)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

While Ghana faced an upset on matchday one, Egypt had to rely on a late penalty from Mohamed Salah to claim a point against Mozambique.<\/p>\n

The Pharaohs took an early lead against Mozambique but the latter scored two second-half goals to turn the tie around until the Liverpool star happened in additional time.<\/p>\n

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The two results from the first round of games mean Egypt and Ghana have one point and zero respectively heading into Thursday\u2019s crunch encounter.<\/p>\n

What has been said?<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Both teams held their press conferences yesterday ahead of the much-anticipated fixture.<\/p>\n

Ghana\u2019s head coach, Chris Hughton, talked about the need for his side to up their game considering they play a side that is better than his team at the moment.<\/p>\n

\u201cOur level has to be higher. On paper, we\u2019re playing a better side [Egypt],\u201d said the Irish trainer. \u201cI am the leader who has to concentrate on preparation for the next game.\u201d<\/p>\n

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One thing that has been talked about a lot in the last few days after the defeat to Cape Verde is whether Mohammed Kudus will be involved against the Pharaohs.<\/p>\n

Hughton had this to say\u00a0at the presser, \u201cWe will continue to assess Mohammed Kudus. He has trained the last few days. We will assess him and make a decision [before the game].\u201d<\/p>\n

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For Egypt, whether or not the West Ham United man gets to play or not, Rui Vitoria says his team are preparing adequately for the fixture.<\/p>\n

\u201cI think it\u2019s good for the tournament [that] the best players play all the games. Of course, he\u2019s a fantastic player. He\u2019s doing well in the Premier League. In this [tournament], I\u2019m ready to face that kind of player,\u201d the Portuguese said when quizzed about the 23-year-old.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe are ready for that. We will prepare the team for that if he plays. We have to control him. But not only him, because the Ghanaian team is very good and all the players are good.\u201d<\/p>\n

Recent meetings<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Since beating Egypt 6-1 in the qualifiers for the 2014 FIFA World Cup, Ghana has not enjoyed any success coming up against the North African side.<\/p>\n

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This was Black Stars \ud83d\udd25\ud83d\udd25\u2b50\ufe0f <\/p>\n

Can we Repeat this same Scoreline on Thursday?<\/p>\n

Ghana \ud83c\uddec\ud83c\udded 6 Vs 1 Egypt \ud83c\uddea\ud83c\uddec <\/p>\n

RIP Atsu \ud83d\udd4a\ufe0f pic.twitter.com\/GWln7cW96b<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 BlaQBwoy\ud83d\udda4\ud83c\uddec\ud83c\udded (@agaciou) January 16, 2024<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n<\/figure>\n

In fact, four games have been played since then and the Pharaohs have enjoyed three victories while the Black Stars\u2019 best has been a draw, coming also in the qualifiers for the 2018 World Cup.<\/p>\n

Last 5 games<\/strong><\/p>\n