Egypt U23 vs Morocco U23 Prediction: Morocco is predicted to win 2-1 against Egypt after extra time in the Olympic bronze medal match.
The Olympic men’s football tournament reaches its conclusion with Egypt U23 and Morocco U23 set to battle for the bronze medal in Nantes. Both North African sides fell short in their semi-final matches but now have a chance to secure their nation’s first-ever Olympic football medal.
Match Preview
This third-place playoff pits two talented young squads against each other in what promises to be a closely contested affair. Egypt pushed hosts France to extra time before succumbing 3-1, while Morocco saw their hopes dashed by a late Spanish comeback in a 2-1 defeat.
Both teams have impressed throughout the tournament with their technical skills and tactical discipline. Egypt topped a challenging Group C that included Spain, while Morocco emerged as winners of Group B ahead of Argentina. Their paths to the semi-finals showcased their potential, with Egypt dramatically overcoming Paraguay on penalties and Morocco emphatically dispatching the United States 4-1.
Egypt U23 vs Morocco U23 Lineups and Formation
Egypt U23 Lineup (Probable 4-1-2-3): Shehata, Zizo, Abdelmeguid, Saber, Elneny, El-Debes, Adel, Tarek, Alaa, Faisal, Kouka.
Morocco U23 Lineup (Probable 4-2-3-1): El Ouahdi, Boukamir, El Azzouzi, El Khannouss, Akhomach, Ezzalzouli, Hakimi, Targhalline, Rahimi, Mohamedi, Richardson.
Key Players to Watch
Egypt: Ibrahim Adel has been crucial for the Pharaohs, netting 3 goals including a vital equalizer in the quarter-finals. His link-up play with Zizo and Faisal could be key to unlocking Morocco’s defense.
Morocco: Soufiane Rahimi has been in scintillating form, and his goal-scoring prowess will be vital for Morocco’s chances. The creativity of Bilal El Khannouss in midfield could also prove decisive.
Players Unavailable or Injured
Both Egypt and Morocco will be missing key players for this crucial bronze medal match. Here’s a list of players unavailable due to injury or suspension:
Egypt U23:
Omar Fayed (Defender) – Suspended
Reason: Received a red card in the semi-final against France.
Impact: Significant loss to Egypt’s defensive line.
Morocco U23:
No reported injuries or suspensions.
Note:
- Egypt will need to adjust their defensive strategy without Fayed
- Morocco has a full-strength squad available, including the return of Bilal El Khannous from suspension
Morocco may have a slight advantage in terms of squad availability for this important match. Egypt’s coaching staff will need to make tactical adjustments to compensate for Fayed’s absence in their defensive setup.
Where to Watch?
The bronze medal match will be broadcast live on various channels globally. Here’s the TV schedule for some countries:
- USA: Fanatiz USA, fuboTV, beIN SPORTS CONNECT, beIN SPORTS XTRA, beIN SPORTS XTRA en Español
- UK: Not available
- Canada: beIN SPORTS CONNECT Canada, beIN SPORTS XTRA, Fanatiz Canada
- Australia: beIN Sports Connect, Foxtel Now
- France: Not available
- Germany: Not available
- Spain: Not available
- Italy: Not available
Head-to-Head and Recent Form
These two sides met in the final of the 2023 U23 Africa Cup of Nations, where Morocco emerged victorious on home soil. That result will give the Atlas Lions confidence, but Egypt’s impressive Olympic campaign suggests they’re capable of reversing that outcome.
Egypt’s Olympic form: D-W-W-W-L
Morocco’s Olympic form: W-L-W-W-L
Prediction
Both teams have shown they can compete at the highest level, making this a difficult match to call. Egypt’s resilience against France and Morocco’s attacking flair against Spain demonstrate their quality. Given the high stakes and the teams’ familiarity with each other, a tight contest seems likely.
Predicted Score: Egypt U23 2-1 Morocco U23 (after extra time)
This match could very well go the distance, with Egypt’s tournament experience potentially giving them a slight edge if the scores remain level after regulation time.
As these talented young squads vie for Olympic bronze, fans can expect an enthralling encounter showcasing the bright future of North African football. Whether it’s Egypt’s tactical discipline or Morocco’s attacking verve that prevails, this match promises to be a fitting finale to both teams’ Olympic journeys.
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