Egypt and Cameroon are one step away from a quarter-finals berth when they take on Zambia and Sudan respectively in the African Cup of Nations Group C finale on Wednesday. Reigning champions Egypt entertain Chipolopolo, who were thrashed 5-1 by Cameroon last weekend, and the Pharaohs know that any scorline other than a defeat will do for them. The Zambians have no choice but to beat the in-form Pharaohs by a comprehensive score line, or wait for an unlikely stumble to Cameroon in Tamale. The Indomitable Lions have a fairly winnable game against minnows Sudan, who were soundly beaten in their first two games without scoring any goal. Egypt vs. Zambia (Kumasi) Egypt "We won our first two matches in Group C but we haven't qualified yet for the quarter-finals. We take it match by match and we won't take it easy against Zambia," said Hassan Shehata. The holders are in pole position to qualify as they just need a draw to maintain their position on top of the group. Team News: Center-half Mahmoud Fathallah is suspended, following his second booking in the Sudan game. Ahli captain Shadi Mohamed or Ankaragucu's Ibrahim Saied should deputize. Hosni Abd-Rabou and Ahmed Fathi are expected to shake off minor knocks. Shehata is will decide whether to keep influential duo Ahmed Hassan and Mohamed Abou-Treika on the bench for the third successive game after the latter's heroics against Sudan. Probable Line-up: Al-Hadari- Fathi, Moawad, Gomaa, Shadi- H.Saied, Abd-Rabou, Shawky- Zidan, Meteb, Zaki. Zambia "I cannot single out any player but if you don't play well, there must be changes," Zambia coach Patrick Phiri. The Chipolopolo Boys must beat high-flying Egypt by no less than three goals in case Cameroon beat Sudan in Tamale.
Eto'o eyeing personal glory Team News: Zambia coach Phiri promised changes to the side that crashed 5-1 to Cameroon. After a grim performance at the back, defense duo Kennedy Nketani and Clive Hachilensa could be losing their places for Hichani Himonde and Willy Chinyama. Probable Line-up: Mweene- Himonde, Chinyama, Mwanza, Musonda- Bakala, Chansa, F.Katongo, Mulenga- Chamanga, C.Katongo. Cameroon vs. Sudan (Tamale) Cameroon "With the victory against Zambia I think our morale is now up after the defeat on the first day. It is true that we are not at our best form but Cameroon is Cameroon. We are better when we are in difficulty," said skipper Rigobert Song. Samuel Eto'o and Co. are firm favorites to beat point-less Sudan and go through as the Barca striker is looking to break Laurent Pokou's 14-goal milestone, which he equaled against Zambia. Team News: Pacey winger Joel Epalle has been declared fit after recovering from a toe injury, which kept him out of the Zambia win. Apart from that, Otto Pfister's men are in full strength as the German is likely to stick with the selection that thrashed Zambia last weekend. Probable Line-up: Kameni- Atouba, Binya, Bikey, R.Song- Geremi, A. Song, Emana, M'Bami- Eto'o, Job. Sudan "Usually in such big matches when you lose chances it is difficult to bounce back. It will be difficult against Cameroon,'' Sudan assistant coach Abdul-Hamid Omar. Mathematically, Sudan have a chance of qualifying, but their mission is quite impossible as they need to beat the Lions by a four-goal margin. Team News: Coach Mohamed Abdullah 'Mazda' could be looking into the possibility of getting qualifying top scorer Faisal Ajab back into the starting line-up as the Eagles' frontline looked clueless against Egypt. Probable Line-up: Mahjoub- Khider, Gastin, Gibril, S
