Egypt, Mali lock horns

THE wait is finally over, and the stage is set for the start. The third edition of Total U-23 Africa Cup of Nations starts today when hosts Egypt lock horns with Mali at the Cairo International Stadium in the Egyptian capital.

Serving also as Africa’s qualifiers to the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games, the top three finishers at the Egypt 2019 tournament will bear the continent’s torches at next summer quadrennial multi-sports global event.

The Olympic Pharaohs as Egypt are nicknamed are seeking their 12th appearance in the Olympic Games, an African record. Egypt’s first appearance in the Olympics football tournament dates back to a full century ago, in Antwerp 1920. The Pharaohs finished fourth twice, in Amsterdam 1928 and Tokyo 1964.

Guided by ex-player and senior national team coach Shawky Gharib, Egypt enters the tournament with a squad fully based on domestic players. With the likes of skipper Ramadan Sobhy, strikers Mostafa Mohamed and Salah Mohsen who featured for senior team, and with the expected support from the stands, expectations are high on the shoulders of Gharib’s boys.

On the other hand, Mali had just one previous appearance in the Olympics, in Athens 2004 bowing out from the quarterfinals. Les Aigles are hoping for an Olympic return with a generation mainly based on the class of 2015 who finished as runner ups in the U-17 FIFA World Cup in Chile.

Fanyéri Diarra hopes to lead Mali to the Olympic scene yet again 16 years after their debut, as Les Aigles dream of a podium finish in Egypt. He will have the likes of Turkey based forward Ali Malle and Al Ahly midfielder Aliou Dieng to rely on.

In the other Group A fixture, Cameroon takes on Ghana.

Zambia starts her campaign with a tricky tie against perennial rivals South Africa tomorrow.