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Egypt reconvene their qualifying campaign for next year's Africa Cup of Nations tournament away to minnows Kenya on Thursday.
The record seven-time champions currently top Group G with two wins and draws each from four games and remain favorites to finish as winners.
The Pharaohs, who hosted the 2019 edition, lost out in the last 16 in a disappointing campaign, a year after their forgettable World Cup return.
Hossam El Badry's side have a point to prove in the 2021 edition (which was postponed to 2022 due to COVI, with the Qatar showpiece in sight too.
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Kenya, who qualified for the last Afcon after a gap of 15 years, risk losing again and face an uphill battle thereafter.
Third in the standings with just three points from four games, the Harambee Stars are yet to win in this campaign. They must pick up all six points from the remaining two fixtures to have any chance of making it to Cameroon next year.
Kenya vs Egypt Head-To-Head
In 20 meetings between the sides, Egypt boast a vastly superior head-to-head record with 14 wins and just one defeat.
The first leg of their qualifier in Cairo saw them play out a 1-1 draw in November 2019.
Kenya Form Guide (all competitions): W-D-L-W-W
Egypt Form Guide (all competitions): W-D-D-W-W
Kenya vs Egypt Team News
Kenya
Head coach Jacob Mulee has named a very young and inexperienced squad. Unfortunately for the Harambee Stars, Joseph Okumu and Erick Kapaito are injured.
Victor Wanyama, Eric Omondi, Arnold Origi, and Brian Onyango are some of the big names missing in action this month.
Injured: Joseph Okumu and Erick Kapaito
Suspended: None
Unavailable: Victor Wanyama, Eric Omondi, Arnold Origi, and Brian Onyango
Egypt
El-Badry has named six foreign-based players, including Liverpool ace Mohamed Salah and Arsenal's Mohamed Elneny. However, striker Ahmed Kouka misses out through injury.
Mostafa Fathi is back in the squad for the first time since 2017. Meanwhile, Mohamed Farouk is in line for his first international cap since making his debut more than six years ago.
Ramadan Sobhi, Mohamed Hamdi and Ahmed Tawfik are missing out on this fixture due to injury.
Injured: Ahmed Kouka, Ramadan Sobhi, Mohamed Hamdi, and Ahmed Tawfik
Suspended: None
Unavailable: None
Kenya vs Egypt Predicted XI
Kenya (4-2-3-1): Ian Otieno; Nahashon Alambi, Bonface Onyango, Baraka Badi, Eric Ouma, Teddy Akumu, Lawrence Juma, Kenneth Muguna, David Owino, Cliff Nyakeya, Michael Olunga.
Egypt (4-4-2): Mohamed El Shenawy; Mahmoud Alaa, Ahmed Hegazi, Ali Gabr, Ayman Ashraf; Mohamed Elneny, Hamdi Fathi, Mahmoud Trezeguet, Mostafa Fathi; Mohamed Salah, Hossam Hassan.
Kenya vs Egypt prediction
Kenya's qualification hopes are on the line, so Egypt won't have it easy in this encounter.
We expect the visitors, led by the talismanic Salah, to walk away with all three points.
Prediction: Kenya 1-2 Egypt
