Zambia vs Egypt Women WAFCON Preview
Zambia and Egypt begin their campaign at the Women's Africa Cup of Nations with a Group C clash on Tuesday.
With record winners Nigeria also in the same group, both teams will be keen to get off to a positive start and could serve up an open contest.
Key Stats
- Zambia have scored in seven of their last 10 matches in all competitions.
- Zambia have conceded in nine of their last 10 matches in all competitions.
- Egypt have scored in six of their last seven matches in all competitions.
- Egypt have conceded in eight of their last 10 matches in all competitions.
Zambia on Top
There have been only two previous matches between both teams, with Zambia claiming 1-0 victories in friendlies back in 2016.
Zambia Seeking Improvements
Zambia have become regulars at the WAFCON, having attended the last three editions. Their best showing came in 2022, when they secured a third-placed finish.
The Southern African side have had a patchy build-up to the tournament and have only avoided defeat in six of their last 10 matches in all competitions. They wrapped up their preparations with a 1-0 defeat to Algeria last Wednesday.
A major issue for Zambia is their inability to keep things tight at the back, having conceded in nine of their last 10 matches in all competitions. The good news is that they also show some attacking quality and have scored in seven of those 10 fixtures.
Egypt Seeking WAFCON Legacy
Egypt have only made two previous WAFCON appearances, failing to make it out of the group stage on both occasions. They have missed the last three editions and will be looking to make an impact this year.
Things have been pretty smooth for Egypt lately, and they will head into their Group C opener unbeaten in five of their last six matches in all competitions. They claimed a 1-0 victory over Senegal in their final warm-up game.
Like the Zambians, Egypt also struggle to maintain their discipline at the back and are without a clean sheet in eight of their last 10 matches in all competitions. However, they have some attacking quality and have scored in six of their last seven matches.
Team News and Predicted Line-ups
Zambia (4-3-3): Hazel Nali; Margaret Belemu, Blessing Maluba, Lushomo Mweemba, Racheal Nachula; Grace Chanda, Rhoda Chileshe, Ireen Lungu; Prisca Chilufya, Barbra Banda, Racheal Kundamanji.
Zambia are likely to stick with the team that started their final warm-up game. Captain Banda is expected to lead the line once again while Maluba and Mweemba should continue at the back.
Egypt (4-3-3): Maha Shehata; Camelia Elhofy, Nour Abeldwahed, Thouria Ibrahim, Nada Rashwan; Nadin Ghazy, Dana Nadda, Mahira Ali; Sarah Essam, Farah Elmhady, Yasmine Mohamed.
Shehata should start between the sticks for Egypt, with Abdelwahed and Ibrahim featuring at the back. Mohamed is set to start in attack with Elmhady providing support.