Egypt is facing Togo in the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers third round on Saturday at Cairo International stadium. This game is the first leg of the double-header the return of which will take place in Lomé. It will be at the Stade de Kégué on the 17th November. The two challengers expect to improve their positions in the Group G ranking.

Egypt coach Hossam El-Badry has called a full strength squad for the Togo clash with participation of foreign-based players. Including Arsenal’s midfielder Mohamed Elneny, Aston Villa’s winger Mahmoud Trezeguet and Olympiacos’ in-form striker Ahmed ‘Kouka’ Hassan.

After two gamedays, Egypt are currently third with two points. While Togo stand at the bottom with a single point. To catch up and expect, each of them has no other option but win to improve their ranking. As only the top two will advance to the African Nations’ Cup finals taking place in January 2022 in Cameroon.

Though Mohamed Salah will not play due to Coronavirus, the task will not be easy for the visitors. As El-Badry is expected to make use of the very ambitious Ahly and Zamalek players after the two teams had reached the CAF Champions League final game alongside the superb performances of foreign-based players who also shine in the English Premier League.

Egypt now has strength in the frontline as Ahmed ‘Kouka’ Hassan and Zamalek striker Mostafa Mohamed are at their peak. Kouka took his tally to four goals in the first six games of the season. He also netted a goal in the Champions League to give Olympiacos a 1-0 victory over Marseille at the group-stage opener last month.

“I speak with Kouka and always encourage him to work hard. He’s a very good striker and we have a shortage in this position. I want all the strikers to work hard in order to play for the national team. As I’ve said earlier, the door is open to any player who can prove himself worthy of wearing the Egypt shirt.” Said El-Badry.

Zamalek’s red-hot striker Mostafa Mohamed helped his team to reach the CAF Champions League final game after shining during the two-legged games of the continental tournament’s semifinals.

“Mostafa Mohamed performed well in the previous games with Zamalek. And he still has more targets to achieve with the team.” Added Egypt coach.

“Mostafa Mohamed is motivated to introduce the same superb performance with the national team. And I see more talented young players like the Zalamek player. Including Taher Mohamed and Akram Tawfiq.” Said El-Badry.

In great shape, Togolese striker Laba Kodjo will boost the squad ahead of Egypt after he was released by his club Al-Ain of the United Arab Emirates to join the squad for the two games.

Togo French coach Claude Le Roy expressed his anger about the narrow time between the matches against Egypt.

“How could we play two games within three days only? This doesn’t happen even in Europe during the current circumstances. We have to give the players a break. The situation is very tense and I am angry But we will fight.” Le Roy told a sports TV channel.

Comoros top the group with five points, two ahead of Kenya after the two teams drew 1-1 in the third round on Wednesday.

We should remind that Egypt played against Togo eight times in both the teams’ history. The Pharaohs won six times, drew in one and lost in only one game.