Egypt - Morocco
Having won their opening match 3-0 against Liyba, hosts Egypt will face a tough test when the play against wounded Morocco who lost their opening match 1-0 to Ivory Coast. Sports minister Hassan Saqr visited the Pharaohs during their training session to further boost the morale in the squad and to urge them to secure a win over Morocco. Striker Ahmed 'Mido’ Hossam who scored their opening goal in the tournament will be expected to break through the Moroccan defence.
Morocco’s Atlas Lions will be without defender Abdeslam Ouaddou while France-based striker Jaouad Zairi is doubtful to make the starting line-up due to an ankle injury. Their game with the hosts will indeed be one of the group’s toughest matches and the 2004 Nations Cup finalists need a win to keep hopes of progressing to the next stage alive.