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The North African giant come into the 34th edition of the tournament having lost just once in its last 14 matches (W12, D1) – a run of form which included a 2-1 friendly win over Belgium.

A draw against outsider Mozambique in their tournament opener was not the start the Pharaohs would have been hoping for. Now clashes against four-time champion Ghana (January 19 – 7am AEDT) and surprise first round winner, Cape Verde, (January 23 – 7am AEDT) have taken on a different complexion for the seven-time champion, hoping to return to the summit of African football for the first time in 14 years.

After reaching the final in five of their last six tournament appearances - expectations will again fall on the shoulders of talismanic captain, Mohamed Salah, as the “Egyptian King” looks to win a first major trophy with his country.

Egypt has come close to ending the tournaments-long drought in recent years, after finishing runner-up in two of the past three editions – losing to Cameroon (2017) and Senegal (2021).

In Cameroon two years ago, the Pharoahs lost in devastating fashion as Salah’s former Liverpool teammate Sadio Mane scored the winning penalty in a shootout after an extra time stalemate.

However, since its last continental success in 2010 – which crowned an historic “three-peat” of titles - the North African giant has also rebuilt their squad, with young talents now forming the team's core.

Achieved via resolute defensive performances, both recent finals appearances - under Argentine Hector Cuper and Portuguese Carlos Queiroz respectively - laid the foundation for their more expansive style of play under current Portuguese manager, Rui Vitoria. His 14 games in charge have 33 goals. Five clean sheets from their last seven matches, the draw against Mozambique notwithstanding, indicate a newfound defensive steale.

Despite the injection of youth and an expansive, entertaining style, Egypt boasts the oldest squad on average in Ivory Coast and one senses this will be one of its last great chances to crown a golden generation of players with silverware.

Key players:

Mohamed Salah

Last time out, Egypt only scored four goals in seven games; of those, Salah contributed to three (two goals and one assist). Playing in his fourth AFCON (2017, 2019, 2021) The Liverpool star will be aiming to become the first Egyptian to score in four editions of the tournament. Since his AFCON debut in 2017, Salah has been directly involved in 64 per cent of Egypt’s 14 goals in the competition (six goals, three assists).

Becoming the fifth-fastest player to reach 150 goals in English Premier League history, Salah will be hoping his club form helps add to his six goals in 17 AFCON matches.

While there has previously been an over-reliance on their captain, the introduction of a fresh, expansive Egyptian style of play has seen the team become more clinical in front of goal.

That said, an “Egyptian King” well and truly still in his prime, means there is no better match-winner or game-breaker on the continent.

Omar Marmoush 

Omar Marmoush is having a standout debut campaign with Eintracht Frankfurt since moving from fellow Bundesliga side VfL Wolfsburg in the pre-season. Scoring seven goals in his first 14 games, perhaps his biggest highlight was his goal and two assists in a 5-1 win against reigning champion Bayern Munich.

With the ability to play across the front three, the 24 year-old will be one to watch as he links up with Salah for the seven-time winner.