CAIRO, Sept 7, 2018 (News Wires) - Egypt will enter a new era in their football history when they resume the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign with a group J match against Niger on Saturday night. The clash is set for the Borg El Arab Stadium in Alexandria. Egypt are placed last on the group log after they opened their campaign with a 1-0 away loss to north African rivals Tunisia in June last year. Taha Yassine Kehnissi scored the only goal as the Pharaohs – who were runners-up at the last Afcon finals in 2017 – slumped to defeat in Rades. Niger are level with Swaziland with one point on the group J log after the teams shared the spoils in a goalless stalemate in Niamey. The Menas are aiming for a return to the continental finals after their appearances in 2012 and 2013. Egypt come into the game on the back of a disappointing 2018 World Cup campaign which saw them suffer three successive defeats to Uruguay, hosts Russia and Saudi Arabia. They have a new coach in charge in the shape of Javier Aguirre, who succeeded Hector Cuper. "The Niger match will be an important one because it will be at home and in the qualifiers of the African Cup of Nations," said the Mexican. "We have to win. We lost the first game to Tunisia and therefore they are three points ahead of us. It is important to start my Egypt career with a win." By contrast, Niger appear to be in fine form after recording a 3-3 draw with Central African Republic and a 2-1 win over Uganda in friendlies in late May and early June. Egypt and Niger have clashed in three previous matches, according to Fifa's statistics database. The Pharaohs are unbeaten, with two wins and a draw to their name. The teams' most recent clash was a friendly in Doha in 2012 which was won 1-0 by Egypt. Senegalese referee Maguette N'Diaye will take charge of the game in Alexandria. The other group J match will be played on Sunday, 9 September and sees Swaziland host Tunisia in Manzini.
