How Egypt’s Attacking Flair Could Be Key to Pharaoh's Eighth AFCON Title

• Egypt has arrived in Ivory Coast for the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations
• The Pharaohs are aiming to win a record eight AFCON title
• Egypt are in Group B with Cape Verde, Ghana and Mozambique

Egypt is the highest winner of the Africa Cup of Nations with seven titles, but the Pharaohs have tasted heartbreaks in recent tournaments, having not won the competition since 2010.

The North African giants were beaten by Senegal in the last Cup AFCON final in 2021, but their recent form under new manager Rui Vitoria has caused many pundits to tag them as favourites for the 2023 tournament.

According to Sportstar, Liverpool forward Mohamed Salah is the leading name in Egypt’s squad for the Africa Cup of Nations, as released by the record seven-time winners, by their Portuguese manager.

The 31-year-old forward will be joined in attack by six other strikers, including Al-Ahly forward, Mahmoud Kahraba, Abdallah Said of Egyptian club Pyramids, Mahmoud Hamdy from Zamalek, and Al Ahly duo Hussein El Shahat, and Mohamed Magdy.

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Egypt, who were silver medalists in 2017 and 2021, will kick off their 2023 campaign against Mozambique in Abidjan on Sunday, January 14, before further games against Ghana and Cape Verde in Group B.

Egypt’s attack could be key

Meanwhile, Egypt will rely heavily on flair this time around, with current coach Rui Vitoria radically changing tactics to favour his attacking players at AFCON 2023, Times Live reports.

The Pharaohs have won 12 times in 14 games under Vitoria, scored a whopping 33 goals, and conceded six as they boasted one of the most potent attacks heading to the tournament in the Ivory Coast.

Egypt's prior final appearances were the result of strong defensive performances under coaches Hector Cuper and Carlos Queiroz, but Victoria feels that switching to attack could be the key to the North Africans' turnaround.

Morocco’s Ounahi criticises Egypt’s style

Earlier, Sports Brief reported Morocco midfielder Azzedine Ounahi had criticised Egypt's style of play, infuriating fans of the seven-time AFCON champions.

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Morocco isn't Egypt's biggest foe, but the two teams have a lengthy history. They have had several intense disagreements throughout the years. For instance, the Pharaohs’ won the 2021 AFCON quarter-finals against them.