The Black Stars are expected to up their performance as they face the Pharaohs of Egypt as a defeat could see them bowing out of the tournament earlier than expected
Ghana will hope to have Mohammed Kudus back for tonight’s huge Africa Cup of Nations clash with Egypt.
The West Ham forward picked up a minor hamstring injury against Arsenal last month and was still contending with the issue heading into the tournament, missing Ghana’s AFCON opener against Cape Verde.
The Black Stars lost that match, immediately putting them on the back foot in Group B, and they now face a tough test against Egypt as they look to get their campaign back on track.
Kudus has returned to full training and is in contention for Ghana tonight, with Chris Hughton potentially bringing him straight into the starting XI.
There are options for Ghana should Kudus miss out again, with Andre Ayew and Inaki Williams both only getting cameos off the bench against Cape Verde.
Egypt coach Rui Vitoria has admitted that his charges are aware of the threat Kudus possess.
“I think it’s good for the tournament that the best players play all the games. For me, it’s clear. For me, Mohammed Kudus is a fantastic player, he’s doing well in the English Premier League. I am ready to face that kind of player we are ready for that we will prepare the team for that.” he told the Press ahead of Thursday’s game.
“We will have to control him but not only him because the Ghana team is a very good team and all the players are good, “he noted.
Egypt are not believed to have picked up any fresh injury concerns in their dramatic opening draw with Mozambique. Mohamed Salah scored a 97th-minute penalty to earn a draw for his country, but it was still two points dropped.
Mohamed Elneny started that match and played 78 minutes, more than he has managed in total for Arsenal this season. He appeared to come through it unscathed and is set to start in midfield again this evening.
Trezeguet had a quiet game for Egypt compared to team-mates Salah and Mostafa Mohamed, and faces competition on the left wing from Omar Marmoush.
Predicted Egypt XI: El-Shenawy, Hany, Hegazy, Abdelmonem, Hamdi, Zizo, Elneny, Fathi, Marmoush, Mohamed, Salah
Doubts: None
Predicted Ghana XI: Ofori, Odoi, Dijku, Salisu, Mensah, Ashimeru, Baba, A. Ayew, J. Ayew, Kudus, Semenyo
Doubt: Kudus
Time and date: 8pm GMT on Thursday January 18, 2024
Venue: Felix Houphouet Boigny Stadium in Abidjan
TV channel and live stream: GTV, GTV Sports +, Supersport