Record African champions Egypt will be out to secure their place in the round of 16 when they take on minnows Sudan in their last Group D encounter set to be staged at the Ahmadou Ahidjo Stadium in Yaoundé, Cameroon on Wednesday evening.After losing their opening match 1-0 against Nigeria, Liverpool ace Mohammed Salah helped ease the pressure off his team as his solitary strike handed the Pharaohs victory over Guinea Bissau in their second group encounter as they jumped to second place on the log on three points which left them three behind the already qualified Nigeria.Mo Salah scores his first goal for Egypt in #AFCON2021 🇪🇬(via @ESbeINSPORTS) pic.twitter.com/ePjoByZ9b0— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) January 15, 2022 Heading into the tie, the seven time champions need to secure a victory just to be sure of progression as Bissau and Sudan who are all on one point in third and fourth respectively also have a chance to make it to the next round should they draw lessons from Comoros and cause major upsets.With the game against Sudan dubbed The Nile Derby, Egypt will be looking to get both the ticket to the next round and the bragging rights at stake as the two nations clash for a sixth time in the tournament’s history.“Our goal is to win the title for our Egyptian fans. Everyone in the team wants to do his best. We are thinking about it match by match. Sudan game is a derby, and it will not be easy. We respect them and we know they will also play to win,” midfielder Amr Elsoleya remarked prematch.𝙈𝘼𝙏𝘾𝙃𝘿𝘼𝙔 ! | The Pharaohs take on Guinea-Bissau at Roumde Adija Stadium in Garoua!🇪🇬🙏#ThePharaohs #Pharaohs 🇪🇬 #AFCON2021 #TeamEgypt pic.twitter.com/4UCe3fendC— Egypt National Football Team (@ThePharaohs_) January 15, 2022 In Younde, Sudan know that they will need to summon their inner drive if they are to get anything despite the Egyptians holding a better head to head.1.28 Egypt 5.50 Sudan 15.0The Jediane Falcons have been boosted by the return of forward Mohammed Abdel Rahman who missed the last game due to injury and who vowed that his team will leave everything on the pitch as the 1970 AFCON winners seek progression.”We lost against Egypt in the FIFA Arab Cup, but this is a different competition and each match has its own circumstances. The Egyptian team is great, and I know all their players. This is a special derby for us and we have great confidence in ourselves. I hope we do our best to win and qualify for the next stage” the Al Hilal forward said.🇪🇹 Bamlak Tessema Weyesa will officiate the match between #Teamegypt vs #Teamsudan. 🇪🇹🇪🇬🇸🇩 The founders of the Africa Cup of Nations .#AFCON2021 #TotalEnergiesAFCON2021 pic.twitter.com/Ovhtal1XEM— #AFCON2021 (@african_footy) January 18, 2022 The match kicks off at 2200 EAT.Guinea Bissau vs NigeriaAt the Roumde Adjia Stadium in Garoua, Guinea Bissau will be hoping that an already qualified Nigeria will not stand between them and qualification.Currently third on one point, the team have a chance to make it to the knockout phase should they win their match.However, Bissau has not won in the eight matches it has played in the Africa Cup of Nations so far. But a win in Garoua on Wednesday will be invaluable as it could mean Djurtus’ qualification for the next round, if the results go in their favor.“The match will be difficult, but it is important to get three points if we are to continue competing. We know Nigeria are a strong team, but we are well prepared, and we will play to win. We have to believe in our ability and fight for what we believe in because this is football,” Baciro Cande, the head coach said.#TeamNigeria Coach Austin Eguaveon ahead of #TeamGuineaBissau “We don’t want to take off our legs off the pedal. We will approach the game with the same enthusiasm.”“It’s good to have qualified, we have done that. Expect a few changes tomorrow.” #AFCON2021 ✍️ @OgaNlaMedia pic.twitter.com/i8zVth6Edb— Amos Joseph #FootballersConnect (@communeamos) January 18, 2022 On the other hand, Nigeria are just looking to finish with a flurry when they turn up for their last group match. Convincing wins against Egypt and Sudan have already ensured that the Super Eagles will finish top of the group no matter the results.6.50 Guinea Bissau 3.50 Nigeria 1.70Despite admitting that there will be changes to the side, interim head coach Augustin Eguavoen reiterated that the team will not relent even after punching their ticket.“We will continue to work. We respect our opponents and will continue on the same path. We must improve and take advantage of opportunities and score more goals. There will be changes in the squad, but we will not underestimate the match. All the players here are able to participate and represent Nigeria strongly,” he said.The match kicks off at 2200 EAT.
