AFCON 2021: Nigeria vs Egypt confirmed lineups as Chukwueze, Ndidi and Iheanacho start for Green Eagles while Salah and Elneny start for pharaohs
The biggest match of the Africa Cup of Nations so far takes place this afternoon as Group D heavyweights clash in an intriguing tie in Garoua.
All eyes will be on Mohamed Salah to see if the Egypt talisman can transport his sensational Liverpool form onto the major tournament stage.
The pressure is on Salah to fire his country to a record-extending eighth AFCON triumph, with the Pharaohs – who won the competition three times in a row between 2006-10 – upset by South Africa in the round of 16 on home soil back in 2019.
But Egypt face a tough opening assignment in the form of Nigeria, themselves three-time champions of Africa and third-place finishers last time out.
However, Augustine Eguavoen’s side have seen their attacking firepower in Cameroon greatly reduced by the absences of strikers Emmanuel Dennis, Victor Osimhen and Odion Ighalo.
Nigeria starting lineup (4-4-2): Okoye – Aina, Omeruo, Ekong, Zaidu – Chukwueze, Ndidi, Aribo, Simon – Iheanacho, Awoniyi.
Nigeria subs (12): Onyekuru, Ejuke, Iwobi, Musa, Sadiq, Nwakali, Onyeka, Ebuehi, Ajayi, Ndah, Akepyi, Uzoho.
Egypt starting lineup (4-2-3-1): El-Shenawy – Fetouh, El-Wensh, Hegazi, Akram – Hamdi, Elneny – Salah, Trezeguet, Marmoush – Mostafa.
Egypt subs (12): Sherif, Ashour, Lasheen, Sobhi, El Said, Zizo, Kamal, Abdelmoneim, El-Din, Ashraf, Gad, Sobhi
