Egypt and Morocco will resume their rivalry with a battle in the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations quarterfinals at the Stade Omnisport Ahmadou Ahidjo in Cameroon on Sunday.
Kick-off is at 15h00 GMT.
Egypt secured their berth in last eight after a 5-4 win over Ivory Coast on penalties in the Round of 16 match that had ended in a 0-0 draw on Wednesday.
Morocco on the other hand knocked out Malawi after beating them 2-1 with Achraf Hakimi scoring the winning goal in the last twenty minutes of the clash played on Tuesday in Yaoundé.
Historically, Morocco have dominated meetings between the two nations, but Egypt are unbeaten in their last three matches against the Atlas Lions.
Egypt claimed a surprise 1-0 win in Morocco five years ago in the quarterfinals of 2017 tournament before fighting back to hold the Atlas Lions to a 1-1 draw in the most recent meeting between the two nations the same year.
The Pharaohs have won each of their last four quarter-final matches at the Africa Cup of Nations, having progressed in just one of their previous five such games in the competition.
Egypt coach Carlos Quieroz is looking forward to guide the Pharaohs to the AFCON semi-finals for the first time since the 2017 tournament in Gabon.
“It was a difficult start, especially with the loss to Nigeria, but our performance is gradually developing and we want to prepare now for the match against Morocco,” Quieroz told the media.
“We want to be better and satisfy the ambition of the fans. The pressure is an inspiration to us, and it gives us a lot of strength to play and please people.
“God willing, we are now preparing for the Morocco match and we do not want to focus on any other upcoming match until we win the next one.”
Egypt will miss in-form goalkeeper Mohamed El-Shennawi, who picked up a hamstring injury in the win over Cote d’Ivoire.
Morocco coach Vahid Halilhodzic is fully aware of the difficulty of the clash and that they will need to bring their best performance to win.
“The match will be a tactical war, as Egypt has a lot of experience. We were able to come back in the matches in which we conceded first, and I promise you that our attack will improve,” Halilhodžić said in the pre-match press conference.
“We have developed different plans on how to stop Mohamed Salah, and reduce the threat he poses.”
Morocco have proven the best team to watch at the Nations Cup so far, with their silky football distinguishing them.
Winger Sofiane Boufal and full-back Achraf Hakimi have been the two dangerous players that have been causing havoc on the opponents all the way from the group stages.
“Will Achraf Bencharki play? The competition is strong for his position. There is Sofiane Boufal and others who have key roles. If the team needs Bencharki, we will rely on him,” the coach added.
Senegalese referee Maguette N’Diaye will officiate the North African derby in the quarter-finals of the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations.
The winning side will be facing either Cameroon in the semi-finals of the prestigious tournament.
