Egypt vs Ivory Coast: Tough clash but a good sign for the Pharaohs

CAIRO - 21 January 2022: The Pharaohs are set for a difficult encounter in the second round of 2021 Africa Cup of Nations with the leaders of Group E, Ivory Coast. 

The Elephants, who have two AFCON titles under their belts, have come among the best competitors in AFCON 2021, with strong performances in the group stage. 

Ivory Coast secured the top spot in the group after defeating the title-holders, Algeria, 3-1, and putting on a stunning attacking display. 

Carlos Queiroz’s men will be looking to shut out the second best attacking team in the competition's group stage with six goals. 

Facing Ivory Coast has always been a good sign for the Pharaohs, who have defeated Ivory Coast in their run to win four out of their seven titles in the competition. 

Egypt defeated Ivory Coast 2-0 in the 1986 AFCON at home to win their third title. Later in 1998, the Pharaohs knocked the Elephants out of the competition’s quarter-finals in their campaign to win the title after a 12-year hiatus. 

In the 2006 AFCON, the Pharaohs defeated the Elephants 3-1 in the group stage before celebrating the big win at Cairo International Stadium with a victory over Ivory Coast in the final on penalties. 

The Pharaohs’ win in 2008 has witnessed one of Egypt's strongest performances in the competition’s history when they destroyed the star-studded Ivory Coast 4-1 in the semi-finals. 

It is worth mentioning that Ivory Coast has tasted the joy of victory over the Pharaohs in AFCON in only one meeting out of 10. In the 1990 AFCON in Algeria, Ivory Coast defeated Egypt 3-1, when the Egyptian Football Association decided to send their second team to participate in the competition.