Preview: Sierra Leone vs. Egypt - prediction, team news, lineups

The hosts are currently third in Group A, having claimed a point in their first match of the competition against Ethiopia, while the visitors are in the lead after a dominant performance in week one.

Match preview

Sierra Leone got their qualification campaign underway in unusual circumstances as they found their match against Ethiopia delayed on several occasions due to dense fog that covered the field of play.

As a result, the half-time interval was prolonged, and the referee interrupted the game on two occasions in the second half before the match ended with a 0-0 scoreline after an additional 15 minutes of stoppage time.

Nevertheless, the Leone Stars would have been fairly satisfied with a point in their first match of the competition and are now unbeaten in their last three, including a 1-1 draw to Benin and a 2-0 friendly match win over Somalia last month.

However, going up against the star-studded Egyptians will be a massive step up in class for coach Amidu Karim's side, especially after seeing the Pharaohs in full flow last week.

History is about the only thing in Sierra Leone's favour here, as they avoided defeat against Egypt in their two past meetings back in 2010-11 when they held The Pharaohs to a draw in their first game and went on to win the reverse fixture on their home patch.

Meanwhile, Egypt laid down a marker in their first match, and based on their performance, it looks as though they are determined to make amends for their last World Cup qualification disappointment.

The Pharaohs romped to a convincing 6-0 victory over Djibouti in midweek, with their talisman Mohamed Salah once again claiming the headlines with a dominant performance at home.

The Liverpool attacker single-handedly took the game out of reach from his opponents with two goals in each half before Mostafa Mohamed and Trezeguet completed the rout ahead of the full-time whistle.

With that result, the Egyptians are now on a three-match winning streak, having beaten Zambia last month before playing out an entertaining 1-1 draw against Algeria a few days later.

With the African Cup of Nations now within touching distance, The Pharaohs seem to be peaking at just the right time and will be determined to head to Ivory Coast with their unbeaten record intact.

Sierra Leone World Cup Qualifying - Africa form:

D

Sierra Leone form (all competitions):

W

L

L

D

W

D

Egypt World Cup Qualifying - Africa form:

W

Egypt form (all competitions):

W

W

L

W

D

W

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Team News

Alhassan Koroma had a very good outing for the Leone Stars last week and should keep his place in midfield, though he could be joined by Cambridge United's Sullay Kaika, possibly at the expense of Augustus Kargbo.

AEL Limassol's Jonathan Morsay is likely to play as the most advanced midfielder, while Mohamed Buya Turay could lead the line this time in place of Alhaji Kamara.

Rui Vitoria may opt for a few changes in personnel here, and Ali Gabr could find his way back into the starting 11, with Omar Kamal being the most likely to drop to the bench.

Hamdi Fathi and Trezeguet both looked very good after coming off the bench last week and may be promoted to the starting 11, potentially in place of Marwan Attia and Zizo, respectively.

Sierra Leone possible starting lineup:

Sesay; Kakay, A. Kabia, M. Kabia, Samadia; Fornah, Dumbuya; Morsay, Koroma, Kaika; Turay

Egypt possible starting lineup:

El-Shenawy; Gabr, Hegazi, Hany, Maaloul; Fathi, Elneny, Marmoush; Salah, Trezeguet, Mohamed

We say: Sierra Leone 0-3 Egypt

What we have here is one of the highest-ranked sides in Africa taking on one of the lowest, which suggests that this could end up being a very one-sided encounter. The Pharaohs look in great nick at the moment, and we fancy they will secure another convincing victory in this one.

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