Egypt vs Algeria
International Friendly
Monday
16th October 2023
Hazza Bin Zayed Stadium
The most comprehensive preview and detailed analysis of the International Friendly fixture between Egypt and Algeria.
Egypt vs Algeria: Preview
Egypt form analysis
The Pharaohs have been fairly solid in recent matches, despite a couple poor results. They started with a disappointing 1-2 loss to Guinea in African Cup of Nations qualifying back in June. However, they bounced back with a convincing 3-0 win against South Sudan in a friendly. Mostafa Fathi and Trézéguet were on the scoresheet.
In early September, Egypt grinded out a 1-0 victory over Ethiopia in qualifying thanks to another Fathi goal. But their 100% record was ended after a 1-3 home loss to Tunisia in a friendly in mid-September. Although Omar Kamal pulled one back, Egypt’s defense was exposed. They got back to winning ways against Zambia in October, with Hamdi Fathy netting a last-gasp winner in a 1-0 result.
Overall, Egypt seem to be stronger at the back than going forward recently. The losses to Guinea and Tunisia highlighted some issues in attack, although the duo of Mostafa Mohamed and Trézéguet have provided moments of magic. If they can find more consistent goalscoring, Egypt should be confident of much greater things.
Algeria form analysis
Algeria have been steadily building momentum in their recent matches. In June, they kicked off Africa Cup of Nations qualifying with a hard-fought 1-2 away win against Uganda thanks to a brace from Mohamed Amoura. They followed that up by holding Tunisia to a credible 1-1 draw in a friendly, with Riyad Mahrez converting a penalty. After a drab 0-0 draw with Tanzania in early September, Algeria bounced back to beat regional rivals Senegal 0-1 away from home as Farid Chaïbi scored the winner.
Most recently, Algeria thrashed Cabo Verde 5-1 in another qualifier in October. Amoura, Houssem Aouar (2), Ramiz Zerrouki and Islam Slimani were all on target in a dominant attacking display. Defensively they looked shaky conceding against Cabo Verde, but overall Algeria seem to be building momentum going into the new year.
With Mahrez’s creativity and goal threat complemented by the emergence of new talents like Aouar and Amoura, Algeria have the firepower to trouble any team. If coach Djamel Belmadi can shore up the backline, Algeria should be a formidable force as they aim to defend their Africa Cup of Nations title next winter.
