Egypt vs. Uganda: The key battles

Despite the disparity in class that history presents Uganda Cranes when they play Egypt in their second group D tie at the Stade Port-Gentil on Saturday, the finer details never cease to matter. In 17 encounters, Uganda has managed to beat the Pharoahs only once, a 5-1 drubbing back in 1965.

El Hadary v Onyango
Denis Onyango is undisputedly Africa’s best goalkeeper. He is much as he won the Glo-Caf African Player of the Year-based in Africa. While he is a beacon of stability for Uganda, he is mighty years behind the 44-year Essam El Hadary who might have lost some of his agility by now. An injury to Ahmed Shenawy put El Hadary in goal and his experience might matter as much.

Salah v Ochaya
Opinions are split about how well left back Joseph Ochaya coped against Ghana’s Christian Atsu in the 1-0 loss. Now, he faces an equally tricky customer in AS Roma’s Mohammed Salah, who like Atsu, will be coming from the right with his left foot. Salah didn’t sparkle against Mali and needs to catch up with the other African stars. Ochaya needs support.
Elneny vs Ugandan midfield
Mohammed Elneny is so easy on the eye that you cannot see how he is hurting you. The returning Khalid Aucho and Tony Mawejje have to try to keep him busy to minimise the space and time he has on the ball as the Arsenal midfielder is always in space.

Blunt forwards
Geoffrey Massa is having an extremely lean spell which has left the deeper lying Faruku Miya as the main source of goals. Egypt didn’t fare much better against Mali as Marwan Mohsen and substitute Ahmed Hassan put in laboured shifts.

Cuper vs Micho
It’s fitting to call Uganda coach Micho Sredojevic an all-knowing man when it comes to African football as he been everywhere.
His opposite Hector Cuper is only an apprentice here despite the rich CV that has seen the Argentine coach at Valencia and Inter Milan.