Egypt are back at the world cup after 28 years and we are all happy about that. The current Egyptian squad while not comparable to the golden generation that dominated African soccer from 2006 to 2010 (albeit without gracing the mundial) is still an efficient unit. They have the players that are capable of grinding out the necessary results as can be seen from their qualifying campaign but their recent friendly games have created a gnawing doubt in my mind about their ability to compete at the highest level.
The manner of the loss to Portugal was unforgivable and the way Belgium took them apart without breaking a sweat added to my worry.
Uruguay have proven time and again that they know how to win and win ugly when it is absolutely necessary. They have the star players to do this in suarez, Cavani and Godin and they will be primed to do so..
Egypt's overdependence on Mo Salah may likely backfire on them if they rush him to fitness and expose him to the brutal no nonsense tackling Uruguayan teams are famous for.
This is the game both teams need a point from as the other fixtures will be easy but this may determine who tops the group.
My heart goes out to Egypt but I have to follow my head and call it for Uruguay.
My prediction;
Egypt 0-1 Uruguay
