On 29 June 2019, Egypt legend Wael Gomaa praised Mohamed Salah and turned his fire on coach Javier Aguirre as the Africa Cup of Nations hosts prepared to face Uganda in Group A.
The former Egypt and Al Ahly centre-back, now a beIN Sports analyst, said Egypt’s attack depended on Salah and Trezeguet, with Tarek Hamed’s midfield work and Ahmed Hegazy’s defending also central to the team. He then accused Aguirre of failing to provide a clear plan, saying: “We have no tactics or strategy. Aguirre is so bad with his line-ups and substitutions,”
Egypt went into the match needing to protect a perfect record against Uganda in what would be the fifth Cup of Nations meeting between the two sides. The seven-time champions were already assured of a place in the last 16, and Aguirre said he was considering changes after the second-half drop in tempo during the win over the Democratic Republic of Congo.
“Many players appeared exhausted against the Congolese and need rest, so I am considering introducing new faces against Uganda,” he said.
Uganda sat second in the group and were on course to reach the knockout stage of the tournament for the first time since 1978, regardless of the result in Cairo. DR Congo, despite losing by two goals to both Uganda and Egypt, still had a route into the next round as one of the best four third-placed teams if they beat Zimbabwe.
Florent Ibenge said his side had responded well after their poor display against Uganda. “After the unacceptable performance we produced against Uganda, the boys played a great game against Egypt and will fight for three points against Zimbabwe,” he said.
Zimbabwe, who had taken a point against Uganda, were in a stronger position than DR Congo if captain Knowledge Musona and his teammates could finish their chances and collect maximum points.
In Group B, Nigeria had already advanced after two 1-0 wins in Alexandria, while Madagascar were also well placed to go through. The Indian Ocean islanders, who had to beat Sao Tome e Principe just to reach qualifying for the 2019 Cup of Nations, could still make the last 16 even if they lost to the three-time champions, provided they finished among the four best third-placed teams.
Nigeria coach Gernot Rohr said the winning goal against Guinea came from a corner, which pleased him because of the work done in training on set pieces. Guinea, whose best Cup of Nations finish came in 1976 when they were runners-up to Morocco in Ethiopia, needed to beat debutants Burundi in Cairo to avoid an early exit.
Belgian coach Paul Put dropped goalkeeper Aly Keita after a mistake-filled draw with Madagascar, and Guinea improved despite losing to Nigeria. Put, who had taken Burkina Faso to the 2013 final that Nigeria won, admitted the pressure was now on his side. “We have made things difficult for ourselves,” he said. “We must beat Burundi to stand a chance of qualifying.”
Burundi, meanwhile, needed victory to keep any hope of survival alive and were still chasing their first goal of the tournament after two defeats sealed by late second-half strikes.
