By Richard Avornyotse - GNA Sports

Accra, Jan. 25, GNA - The Garden City of Kumasi, Ghana's second largest city will be the venue of two exciting matches on Saturday as Egypt face Sudan in the battle of the Nile and Cameroon seeks redemption against the Chipolopolo of Zambia in the second "Group C" matches at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium on Saturday.

The Egyptians, who whitewashed the Indomitable Lions of Cameroon in their first group match, would seek to win against Sudan and raise their hopes of qualifying to the next round.

But one thing that would come to the fore during the match would be the respect and fear coach Hassan Shehata has for his Southern Neighbours.

Soon after he arrived in Ghana for the tournament, the experienced Egyptian Coach said he feared Sudan most in the group and his approach to the match against Cameroon showed he had little or no respect for the Cameroonians, culminating in a 4-2 victory for the Pharaohs. Now Shehata would be jittery as he prepares to face his most dreaded opponents. He is wont to go through a rigorous mental shuttle to get a team that can face the opposition squarely.

He would have to consider the weaknesses and strengths of the Sudanese and fashion out a strategy to shut them out. Player for player, Shehata has quality in abundance but it is the proper admixture of these that would provide the winsome side he desires.

In goalkeeper Esam El Hadary, the Coach has a pair of reliable hands to guard his net, while the return to the team, after suspension of Ibrahim Said to partner Mohammes Shawky at the back would provide some steel in front of the Egyptian goal.

The return of Ahmed Hassan of Middlesbrough in England could reinforce the Pharaohs attack, as he teams up with Abu Rabou and Mohammes Zidan, who scored two goals apiece in their opening match. But here again, Coach Shehata would need a lot of courage to withdraw some of the players, who gave him victory over Cameroon for the more established names, who sat out that match.

For Coach Mohammed Abdallah of Sudan, he admits he was paired against superior opposition but believes anything is possible in football.

He said he would not be overawed by the domineering credentials of his opponents and would go into battle aiming to return victorious. His defenders would have to play to their limits to terminate the Egyptian aggression away from their danger area in order to avoid conceding goals.

A lot would depend on goalkeeper Akram El Hadi Satem in this clash of the Nile. His performance would either mar or make jollification for the Crocodiles of Sudan in the end.

Skipper Justin Lado should induce total support, commitment and dedication from Musa El Tayeb; Haitham Karar; Amari Abdelhamed and Al Eldin to give the match all hey have and leave their names in the sands of time.

Maybe the Pharaohs would outwit the hungry Crocodiles of the Nile and swim to safety in this territorial battle for soccer supremacy. Group leaders Zambia have to contend with a wounded Indomitable Lion side, still licking their sores after being slashed and caged by Egypt.

With Barcelona's attacking ace, Samuel Eto'o Fils promising his countrymen qualification despite the early set back, Coach Otto Pfiser would have to underpin his resolve to beat Zambia and remain in reckoning by making the right selection from the start. As was evident in their first match, the Former Ghanaian Coach left adventurous Alexander Song on the bench and only introduced him when their crests had fallen.

The youngster from English side, Arsenal brought some urgency into the Cameroonian game as they pushed the Pharaohs back persistently in the second half.

Skipper Rigobert Song must organize his co-defenders into an impenetrable barrier that will hold the Zambians at bay, while the midfield serves Eto'o and gangling Mohamedu Idrissou with decent balls to enable them to strike with precision.

Zambia would fight to win and retain their leadership position on the standings. Much will depend on the form of goalkeeper Kalilolo Kakonje.

Jacob Mulenga has the ability to dazzle and with support from Joseph Mosonda and Francis Kasonde, the sleek playing Zambians could be dangerous to any team, any day.

They also have unsung heroes Clifford Mulenga, Ian Bakala and Isacc Chansa, a trio that can torment the sturdiest of opponents. The Indomitable Lions must be careful; else their chase of a fifth title may end at the group stages. The Zambians are dangerous. 25 Jan 08