Our prediction for this World Cup 2026 match:
Egypt will look to get off to a flying start to their World Cup qualifying campaign when they take on Angola at June Air Defence Stadium. The Pharaohs failed to impress at the 2018 FIFA World Cup, with the team losing each of their three group games, and, no doubt, they are eager to make amends for the unsuccessful campaign. However, they will be without Liverpool ace Mohamed Salah in Thursday’s qualifier as Egypt are on Great Britain’s “red list”.
In his absence, a man to watch in the home team will be Olympiakos attacker Koka. Angola, on the other hand, are no longer considered one of the teams to beat in qualifiers for major tournaments. Considering that Pedro Goncalves’ troops often struggle on the travels, we are tempted to put our money on the Salah-less hosts.
Highlighted Player (Mohamed Salah):
Mohamed Salah is considered one of the best African players. Salah began his senior career at El Mokawloon, scoring 11 goals in 41 league appearances for the club and in 2012 he moved to Europe, signing a four-year deal with Swiss side Basel.
The pacey winger, who is capable of playing as a striker as well was producing outstanding displays for the RotBlau from 2012 to 2014 and, as a result, Chelsea chiefs decided to sign him on 26 January, 2015 for a fee of £11 million. Mohamed Salah, though, failed to impress in the Premier league and one year later he was sent on loan to Fiorentina.
After making 16 league appearances for the Viola in the Serie A, the left-footed winger signed a loan deal with Roma on 6 August, 2015. The Romans made the contract permanent on 3 August, 2016. Speaking of his international career, Salah made his Egypt debut on 3 September, 2011 in a 2-1 loss to Sierra Leone. It has to be noted that he was named Roma’s player of the season (2015/2016).
Highlighted Team (Angola):
Angola national football team are controlled by Angola Football Federation. The Palancas Negras are affiliated to both CAF and COSAFA and they play their home matches at Estadio 11 de Novembro. Angola did well to qualify for the 2006 FIFA World Cup, but they failed to book their place in the last 16 on their debut at the showpiece tournament.
The African side faced the likes of Portugal, Mexico and Iran in Group D, with the team sharing the spoils with Iran and Mexico, while suffering a loss to Portugal. The Palancas Negras have been struggling to qualify for the FIFA World Cup finals ever since, but they made it to the Africa Cup of Nations on two occasions (2008, 2010).
Angola wear red shirts and black shorts when hosting their rivals, whereas their away kit is white. It has to be noted that the Palancas Negras suffered a 3-2 loss to Congo in their first ever international.