Thomas Freeman Yeboah

The sides are facing off for the second time in the history of the Africa Cup of Nations. They first met in the continental showpiece in 2004 and the Pharaohs won 2-1.

Egypt are expected to get their campaign off to a winning start against Group A outsiders Zimbabwe, with DR Congo and Uganda the two other teams who Egypt will face in the group stage.

While Zimbabwe will be seeking to advance past the group stage for the first time in the competition’s history, hence a winning start will be of the essence.

Much of their hopes rest on the form of Liverpool’s Champions League winner Mohamed Salah. After a long season, he was given time extra time to go off on holiday before joining up with the squad just over a week before the start of the tournament.

Egypt won both of their warm-up matches ahead of the competition, a 1-0 victory against Tanzania was followed by a 3-1 win against Guinea last Sunday when Salah came off the bench in the second half and weighed in with two assists.

READ MORE:<a href="https://www.pulse.com.gh/sports/football/fifa-appoints-its-top-administrator-fatma-samoura-to-run-african-football/gyxwbgs" target="_blank"> FIFA appoints its top administrator Fatma Samoura to run African football</a>

They qualified for the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations courtesy of winning Group G, and in doing so they picked up four points against DR Congo, who they will also face in their final group fixture at the finals.

Key players for Zimbabwe are expected to be striker Knowledge Musona and talented midfielder Marvelous Nakamba who featured in the UEFA Champions League for Club Brugge.

Egypt have played a total of 12 games against Zimbabwe. The Pharaohs have won seven, lost four and drawn against the Warriors.

In Africa Cup of Nations, they have come face to face once. Egypt defeated their opponents 2-1 in the 2004 AFCON staged in Tunisia.

Egypt have participated in 23 Africa Cup of Nations against just 3 participations from Zimbabwe.

The Pharaoh have won the Africa Cup of Nations for a record seven times, while Zimbabwe are yet to go past the group stage of the competition.

The North African powerhouse have won 17 of their 23 opening games. They have lost five and drawn twice, while the Southern Africans are yet to win an opener. They have lost one and drawn twice.

Hosts Egypt face Zimbabwe in AFCON opener

The Cairo International Sports Stadium is expected to be treated to a spectacular opening ceremony in the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) on Friday prior to the big game between Egypt and Zimbabwe.

Preview: Hosts Egypt face Zimbabwe in AFCON opener

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<h3>Makerere University professor Dr Stella Nyanzi has been further remanded at Luzira Prison until November 9th.</h3>

The professor, who is also a vocal critic and activist against the ruling government, <a id="932459ca-4a3d-4a39-ac04-544c5c16cad9" href="https://www.pulselive.ug/news/local/stella-nyanzi-arrested-for-insulting-musevenis-late-mother-id9063874.html">was arrested last week on charges of insulting President Museveni's late mother on social media.</a>

She appeared in court on Wednesday and the magistrate read the charges preferred against her.

Nyanzi is expected to return to court on November 9th for plea taking before the trial magistrate.

Last year, the vocal professor referred to Museveni, 74, as a "pair of buttocks" and was changed with offensive communication and cyber harassment. She was later released on bail.

Also Read: Makerere ordered to reinstate professor who called Museveni "a pair of buttocks"

Demand for her release

Human rights advocates and opposition politicians have condemned the unconstitutional detention of Nyanzi beyond the lawful 48 hours.

Nyanzi has been in detention since last week on November 2nd following her arrest.

<h3>Popular musician-turned-politician Bobi Wine took to social media to demand the unconditional release of the Makerere University professor.</h3>

Pope Francis says seeing Catholics use their phones during Mass makes him sad

Stella Nyanzi was arraigned in court today, 5 day since her arres Stella Nyanzi further remanded for insulting Museveni's mother (Courtesy)

Professor further remanded for insulting Museveni's

<h1>A total of 48 matches were played in the group stage of the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia.</h1>

The 2018 FIFA World Cup has witnessed 122 goals after the group stage of matches

The tournament has realized of 2.5 goals per game.

Harry Kane is the leading top scorer, after the group stage, with five (5) goals.

Yuri Gazinskiy of Russia was the first player to score in the 2018 FIFA World Cup in his side’s 5-0 win over Saudi Arabia.

Cristiano Ronaldo’s fourth minute goal is the fastest goal of the tournament thus far.

Belgium have scored more goals thus far in the tournament- nine (9)

READ MORE: <a href="http://www.pulse.com.gh/sports/football/results-and-scorers-after-the-second-round-of-the-world-cup-id8537205.html" id="2cd1bcb6-418c-5b0b-8b2a-1fad978f6858">All results and scorers after the second round of the 2018 FIFA World Cup</a>

For the first time in the history of the World Cup, the Video Assistant Referee was used. France benefited from the first ever VAR decision, when Antoine Griezman was awarded a penalty after a replay and he finished it off perfectly in France’s 2-1 victory against Australia.

Lionel Messi was the first player to miss a penalty in the tournament and it happened in Argentina’s opener against debutants Iceland in a one all draw.

A total of 22 penalties have been awarded so far in the tournament

17 of the penalties awarded were perfectly converted.

Five of the penalties awarded were thrown away

The tournament has witnessed nine own goals.

Aziz Bouhaddouz of Morocco was the first player to score an own goal in the tournament in a game his side lost 0-1 to Iran.

The tournament has recorded a total of 158 yellow cards.

The average yellow card per game is 3.4

Three red cared have been flashed in the tournament

Carlos Sánchez of Colombia was the only player to have been sent off and is the second fastest red card in the history of the World Cup. It happened as Colombia suffered a 2-1 defeat against Japan in the third minute.

Igor Smoinikov of Russia is the latest player to be sent off.

A total of 36, 349 passes have been completed in the ongoing tournament

Germany with 252 attacks were the best attacking side, but unfortunately that hasn’t resulted into plenty of goals, costing them their early exit from the tournament

Spain have the most passes completed- 2089

Real Madrid midfielder who plays for Germany has completed most passes- 310

Iran have the best defence-most tackles, clearances and saves- 149.

Guillermo Ochoa has made 17 saves, which is the best in the tournament

Neymar is the player with most attempts at goal-17. How he has score just once.

Christian Eriksen has covered most distance- 36KM

The Portuguese skipper’s hat-trick against Spain has made him the oldest player to bag a hat-trick in the World Cup at 33 year and some months and days.

Aleksandr Golovin of Russia was the first to be yellow carded and it came in their 5-0 win over Saudi Arabia in the 10 minute.

Cristiano Ronaldo scored the first goal from direct free kick.

Honda scored against Senegal to become the first Asian player to score in three World Cups.

Whenever, Sadio Mane scores Senegal manages at least a draw and it continued on Sunday when they drew two all against Japan.

Switzerland became the first side to win from a losing position, after they came from a goal down to beat Serbia 2-1.

For the first time since 1982 all the African participants failed to progress from the group stage. In 1982 both Algeria and Cameroon slipped and this term Nigeria, Senegal, Morocco, Egypt and Tunisia have all exited after the group stage.

Pulse Sports has compiled all the vital stats after the group stage of the ongoing 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia.

All vital stats after the group stage of Russia 2018

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Thomas Freeman Yeboah

Articles written by the author

Preview: Hosts Egypt face Zimbabwe in AFCON opener

Professor further remanded for insulting Museveni's

All vital stats after the group stage of Russia 2018