Egypt set out in search of a third consecutive victory over Zambia when the sides go head to head in a friendly fixture at the Hazza bin Zayed Stadium on Thursday.

The Chipolopolo, who clinched top spot in Group H of the Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers last time, are currently on a run of four straight friendly defeats and will look to end this dry spell.

Match preview

Egypt coach Rui Vitoria on September 8, 2023 © Reuters

Egypt suffered their first defeat of the Rui Vitoria era as they were beaten 3-1 by a spirited Tunisia side when the two North African rivals squared off at the 30 June Stadium on September 12.

Omar Kamal pulled one back for the hosts shortly after the half-hour mark after Tunisia raced into a two-goal lead inside the opening seven minutes, but Lecce midfielder Hamza Rafia struck in the 95th minute to make sure of the result.

Prior to that, the Pharaohs won each of their eight matches across all competitions since Vitoria replaced former head coach Ehab Galal at the helm of affairs in July 2022.

This fine run of form saw Egypt book their spot in the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations as they picked up 15 points from their six qualifying matches to finish as Group D winners, five points above second-placed Guinea.

The record seven-time Africa Cup of Nations champions will now look to find their feet as they ramp up preparations for the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying campaign.

Having missed out on a place in Qatar last year, Egypt kick off the quest for a return to the World Cup with a home game against Djibouti in the Group A opener on November 13, one week before taking on their West African counterparts Sierra Leone.

Egypt's Mohamed Salah celebrates scoring their first goal with teammates on March 24, 2023 © Reuters

Zambia, on the other hand, wrapped up their 2023 AFCON qualifying campaign last time out when they came from behind to salvage a 1-1 draw against Comoros in Stade Omnisports de Malouzini.

Benjaloud Youssouf broke the deadlock on the stroke of half time to put Comoros in front before Leicester City striker Patson Daka restored parity in the 71st minute to force a share of the spoils and hand the visitors a vital point.

Daka's strike was enough to help Zambia clinch top spot in Group H of the qualifiers as they edged out Ivory Coast on goal difference after both sides finished with 13 points from six matches.

This followed a 1-0 victory over Lesotho in the final of the 2023 COSAFA Cup on July 16 when Wisdom Moyela netted the winner at the King Zwelithini Stadium to fire the Chipolopolo to their seventh title success in the competition.

However, Avram Grant's men head into Thursday game on a run of four consecutive friendly losses, suffering defeats against Benin, Mali, Israel and Kuwait since picking up a 3-1 victory over Congo in March 2022.

While Zambia will be looking to end this poor run, next up is the challenge of taking on an opposing side who have won each of their most recent three meetings and are unbeaten in their last 10, claiming seven wins and three draws since a 3-1 loss in January 1996.

Egypt friendly form:

Egypt form (all competitions):

Zambia friendly form:

Zambia form (all competitions):

Team News

Mohamed Salah in action for Egypt on September 23, 2022 © Reuters

Vitoria has named an experienced 25-man squad for Thursday's clash and the friendly against Algeria on October 16, including the likes of Mohamed Salah, Trezeguet and goalkeeper Mohamed El Shenawy.

Salah has been on song for Liverpool in the Premier League this season and the 31-year-old, who has five goals and four assists in the opening eight league matches, will lead the Pharaoh's attack once again.

He should be joined in the final third by Mostafa Mohamed and Eintracht Frankfurt striker Omar Marmoush, while Ali Gabr and Mohamed Abdelmonem could form the centre-back pairing.

Arsenal midfielder Mohamed Elneny is the most capped player in the Egypt squad with 93 appearances under his belt, while defender Ahmed Samy is in line to make his senior debut.

Zambia have also called up 25 players for their October schedule, with star striker Fashion Sakala returning to the squad after missing September's game against Comoros due to suspension.

Twenty-five-year-old Daka has also been named in the squad, as well as Red Star Belgrade's Kings Kangwa and the Zesco United trio of John Chishimba, Kelvin Kapumbu and Kelvin Kampamba.

However, the Chipolopolo will be without the services of centre-back Frankie Musonda and Lecce man Lameck Banda, who are currently recuperating from injuries.

Egypt possible starting lineup:
El Shenawy; Kamal, Gabr, Abdelmonem, Fotouh; Fathy, Zizo, Hamed; Mohamed, Marmoush, Salah

Zambia possible starting lineup:
Mwansa; Chepeshi, Sunzu, Phiri, Kabwe; Kapumbu, Kangwa, Bwalya; Sakala, Banda, Daka

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We say: Egypt 2-0 Zambia

While Egypt will be looking to find their feet here, they should expect a stern challenge from a well-drilled Zambia side who have shown their mettle in the just-concluded AFCON qualifiers, where they beat Ivory Coast to top spot in Group H. However, the Pharaohs boast the firepower needed to get the job done and we are backing them to extend their dominance over the Chipolopolo.

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