Egypt will be eyeing a victory over Group E rivals Ghana to boost their chances for a long-awaited World Cup qualification when the powerhouses meet at Alexandria's Borg El-Arab Stadium on Sunday. Ghana's goalless home draw with minnows Uganda in the group opener played perfectly into the hands of Egypt, who wasted no chance to come from behind and earn a 2-1 victory at Congo – signaling their intentions early on in the group campaign. The Pharaohs, however, will still need to assert themselves as the frontrunner with a win over the Black Stars – who remarkably denied them the 2014 World Cup ticket with an aggregate 7-3 qualifying play-off thrashing. At that time, Egypt were stunned 6-1 away in Kumasi to make their mission impossible in the return-leg in Cairo, where they only managed to win 2-1. "I'm quite sure we'd be able to overcome the barrier of such a big defeat and take the game to the Ghana," Egypt manager Hector Cuper said. And given the several key absences in the visitors' squad, Egypt could feel confident cruising to victory in front of a sell-out Borg El-Arab Stadium cheering on their national side. Domestic league games in Egypt are still being held behind closed doors but the national team matches are expempted from a long-standing crowd ban. Ghana will go into the game missing the services of Asamoah Gyan and Juventus playmaker Kwadwo Asamoah due to respective injuries – depriving their potent attack of much-needed strength. West Ham forward Andre Ayew, meanwhile, has recuperated from injury and is now ready to feature against Egypt – who boast another English Premier League winger in Stoke City's Ramadan Sobhi. Even though Sobhi has been in fine form for his side of late, manager Cuper is likely to rely on Belgium's Moscron winger Mahmoud 'Trezeguet', who seems to have won over the Argentine with some energetic displays. But all eyes will be on red-hot AS Roma winger Mohamed Salah, especially after the ex-Chelsea man bagged a hat-trick against 15th-placed Bologna to take his side to second spot of the Serie A table. Counter attacks Cuper's counter-attacking game seems perfect for Salah should the winger make the most of the one-on-one chances he creates for himself with this trademark runs towards goal. Even so, Ghana midfield ace Emmanuel Agyemang Badu played down the threat posed by Salah, stressing that Egypt "have other players" who his side should keep under control. ''Everyone is saying Salah! Salah! Salah! But I don't think he is the only player for Egypt, they also have other players,” Badu was quoted as saying by Ghanaian reports. ''He is a good player but we equally have good defenders who can match up with him. We all play in Italy and most of our players know him.'' Deeper in midfield, Cuper is likely to continue with anchorman Tarek Hamed alongside Arsenal's Mohamed Elneny - with Abdallah El-Said – who was arguably Egypt's best player against Congo - topping the midfield triangle in a 4-2-3-1 format. Zamalek striker Bassem Morsi is also likely to continue as lone striker upfront, with Smouha top-scorer Hossam Salama 'Paolo' his only understudy following the injury of Sporting Braga hitman Ahmed Hassan Kouka. The only change from the Congo game is likely to be in defence, with Ahly center-back Ahmed Hegazy set to regain his place alongside Ali Gabr. Reports have emerged that veteran Ahly right-back Ahmed Fathi would slot in at the expense of Basel full-back Omar Gaber, who announced he is ready to play after picking up an injury in his side's UEFA Champions League encounter with Paris Saint-Germain. Between the sticks, veteran Essam El-Hadari looks poised to continue following an excellent display against Congo, plus the dip in form Ahmed El-Shennawi has suffered of late. Seven-time African champions Egypt, who are currently second of their group following Uganda's 1-0 win over Congo, would go five points clear of Ghana with a win as they bid for their first World Cup appearance since 1990. (For more sports news and updates, follow Ahram Online Sports on Twitter at @AO_Sports and on Facebook at AhramOnlineSports.)
