Egypt will be out in the search for a first World Cup win against Uruguay with fit-again skipper Mohamed Salah spurring that charge.
Being Africa’s first representatives to take to the field at the on-going Russia 2018 FIFA World Cup, The Pharaohs have been unable to dink in a win following two failed attempts in their previous two outings.
The two teams have only ever met once previously with Uruguay emerging victorious after a 2-0 score in Alexandria in August 2006.
Egypt have however been boosted by the return to full fitness of talisman Mohamed Salah who has been recovering from a shoulder strain he sustained in the Champions League final between Liverpool and Real Madrid.
Coach, Hector Cuper confirmed the availability of the “little magician” for this afternoon’s encounter in a pre-match press conference.
[perfectpullquote align=”full” cite=”” link=”” color=”” class=”” size=””]”Unless something dramatic happens today or tomorrow, Salah will 100% play against Uruguay,”[/perfectpullquote]
he said.
Salah availability is a big boost especially that they are facing a team that has only lost once in their last eight World Cup matches despite failing to win any of their opening games at the last six World Cup tournaments, drawing three and losing the other three.
Uruguay will be relying on the experience of their coach Oscar Tabarez who is making it to his fourth World Cup as a head coach, having also been to the 1990, 2010 and 2014 editions.
The 71-year-old holds the record for the gaffer with the most caps at the World Cup.
Tabarez has already named a team to face Egypt including the unmistaken pair of Edison Cavani and Barcelona striker Luis Suarez who has five World Cup goals to his name leading the attack.
Uruguay XI to face Egypt:
Muslera;
Varela, Godin, Gimenez, Caceres;
vecino, Betancur, Nandez, De Arrascaeta;
Suarez, Cavani.
