EGYPT have won the Africa Cup of Nations seven times, more than any other side.
But the Pharaohs are returning to the competition after seven years away having failed to qualify for several editions following their 2010 victory.
“The Egyptian Messi” Mohamed Salah is in fine goal-scoring form and manager Hector Cuper previously led Valencia to back-to-back Champions League finals.
Who are Egypt’s best players?
Mohamed Elneny, midfielder, Arsenal
The Gunners star made his senior international debut in 2011.
His strike in a 3-1 Champions League round of 16 loss against Barcelona at the Nou Camp earned him Arsenal’s goal of the season award last term.
The defensive midfielder, 24, won four Swiss Super League titles with Basel before his £5million switch to the Emirates.
Ahmed Elmohamady, winger, Hull
The Tigers star has won the Africa Cup of Nations twice with Egypt, in 2008 and 2010.
He proved again that he can rise to the big occasions, winning the Championship play-off final at Wembley to earn Hull promotion to the Premier League last term.
The 29-year-old also previously played for Sunderland, where he impressed boss Steve Bruce enough for him to bring him with him to the Tigers in 2013.
Mohamed Salah, striker, Roma
Roma’s player of the season last term, the 24-year-old has nine goals in 17 games so far this season.
He joined the Serie A side from Chelsea, where he picked up a Premier League winner’s medal in 2015 despite only playing three matches for the Blues before going on loan to Fiorentina.
Alongside team-mate Mohamed Elneny he twice won the Swiss Super League with former club Basel.
Which Egyptian players are from the Premier League?
Mohamed Elneny, defensive midfielder, Arsenal
Ahmed Elmohamady, winger, Hull City
Ramadan Sobhi, midfielder, Stoke City
How did Egypt qualify for the Africa Cup of Nations?
Star striker Mohamed Salah netted four times in five qualifying matches that saw the Pharaohs beat Nigeria to top spot in Group C.
Their matches with Chad were annulled or cancelled after the side withdrew from the competition on financial grounds.
They are in Group D for the finals, with Ghana, Mali and Uganda.
Who is the manager of Egypt?
Hector Cuper, 61, is a former Argentina centre-back. He has previously bossed Inter Milan, Valencia and the Georgia national team.
Cuper has won La Liga coach of the year after taking Mallorca to the Uefa Cup Winners’ Cup final in 1999 and twice led Valencia to become Champions League runners-up.
But he failed to win a match in over a year as Georgia boss and was sacked from his last job at Dubai-based side Al Wasl following poor results.
His win rate since taking up the reins at Egypt in 2015 is around 70%.
What is Egypt’s history in the ACN?
The competition’s most successful ever side, they have won it a record seven times, but failed to qualify in recent years.
They triumphed at the inaugural event in Sudan in 1957 – although Egypt, Sudan and Ethiopia were the only nations that took part.
They last won the tournament in Angola in 2010, with a third consecutive Africa Cup of Nations title.
Egypt were the first African and Middle Eastern team to qualify for the World Cup in 1934.
Football is the country’s main sport with Cairo clubs El Ahly and El Zamalek representing the greatest football rivalry in Africa.
What are Egypt’s odds in the ACN?
Egypt are 9-1 to triumph in Gabon according to Sun Bets (get the latest).
Boasting “the Egyptian Messi” Mohamed Salah, you can expect goals from the team. They also have Stoke’s £5million teen sensation Ramadan Sobhi. The 19-year-old has been touted as the most exciting prospect in African football and may get the chance to shine at the tournament.
Egypt face Ghana, runners-up last time out, in Group D, along with Uganda and Mali.
With the top two teams qualifying they are likely to make it out of their group. But defending champions Ivory Coast could be waiting for them in the quarter-finals.
Source: The Sun