Egypt and Salah face Morocco in Afcon quarter-finals with history not on their side

If history is anything to go by, then Egypt will need to produce their best form to get past Morocco in their Africa Cup of Nations quarter-final match in Cameroon later on Sunday.

Egypt and Morocco have played each other 13 times dating back to the 1970s, with Morocco winning 11 and just two going the Pharaohs’ way. But Egypt have a far superior Afcon record, having won the cup a record seven times compared to Morocco’s lone victory in 1976.

But that’s just history.

Egypt's form has vastly improved since they lost to Nigeria in their opening group match. That defeat was compounded by a lethargic display by captain and Liverpool superstar Mohamed Salah.

Egypt recovered to claim maximum points from their remaining group matches against Guinea-Bissau and Sudan, with narrow 1-0 wins. Good form, however, remained elusive.

But the Pharaohs impressed against a strong Ivory Coast side in Wednesday’s first knockout match, showing grit and cohesion in a clash that went into extra time with both sides failing to score at the end of 120 minutes.

The Egyptians won the penalty shootout 5-4 with Salah scoring the winning penalty after substitute goalkeeper Mohammed Abu Gabal saved the Ivorians’ third attempt from the spot.

A widely shared photo of Abu Gabal carrying a celebrating Salah riding on his back and punching the air in triumph encapsulated the mood of the resurgent Pharaohs.

Egypt's Mohamed Salah celebrates with teammates after winning the penalty shootout against Ivory Coast. Reuters.

Egypt, however, have lost the invaluable services of Mohammed El Shennawy, one of Africa’s best goalkeepers, after he pulled a hamstring muscle late in the match against the Ivory Coast in which he dazzled with a series of fine saves to deny the west Africans.

Midfielder Hamdy Fathy is questionable for Sunday’s match because of injury, but the remainder of the squad is healthy.

“Historically, Morocco are the better team, but we have a good chance if we play like we did against Ivory Coast,” said football commentator Sabry Sirag. “Salah was better against them than he was in the group matches. If he recaptures his Liverpool form on Sunday, things will be very different.”

While you're here

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New UK refugee system

A new “core protection” for refugees moving from permanent to a more basic, temporary protection
Shortened leave to remain - refugees will receive 30 months instead of five years
A longer path to settlement with no indefinite settled status until a refugee has spent 20 years in Britain
To encourage refugees to integrate the government will encourage them to out of the core protection route wherever possible.
Under core protection there will be no automatic right to family reunion
Refugees will have a reduced right to public funds

MATCH INFO

Barcelona 2
Suarez (10'), Messi (52')

Real Madrid 2
Ronaldo (14'), Bale (72')

KILLING OF QASSEM SULEIMANI

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Mina Al Oraibi: Air strike casts a long shadow over the decade ahead

Jack Moore: Why the assassination is such a monumental gamble

Matthew Levitt: Iran retains its ability to launch terror attacks

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Simon Waldman: Cautious Israel keeping a low profile

Roll of honour

Who has won what so far in the West Asia Premiership season?

Western Clubs Champions League - Winners: Abu Dhabi Harlequins; Runners up: Bahrain

Dubai Rugby Sevens - Winners: Dubai Exiles; Runners up: Jebel Ali Dragons

West Asia Premiership - Winners: Jebel Ali Dragons; Runners up: Abu Dhabi Harlequins

UAE Premiership Cup - Winners: Abu Dhabi Harlequins; Runners up: Dubai Exiles

West Asia Cup - Winners: Bahrain; Runners up: Dubai Exiles

West Asia Trophy - Winners: Dubai Hurricanes; Runners up: DSC Eagles

Final West Asia Premiership standings - 1. Jebel Ali Dragons; 2. Abu Dhabi Harlequins; 3. Bahrain; 4. Dubai Exiles; 5. Dubai Hurricanes; 6. DSC Eagles; 7. Abu Dhabi Saracens

Fixture (UAE Premiership final) - Friday, April 13, Al Ain – Dubai Exiles v Abu Dhabi Harlequins

SPECS

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Kat Wightman's tips on how to create zones in large spaces

Area carpets or rugs are the easiest way to segregate spaces while also unifying them.
Lighting can help define areas. Try pendant lighting over dining tables, and side and floor lamps in living areas.
Keep the colour palette the same in a room, but combine different tones and textures in different zone. A common accent colour dotted throughout the space brings it together.
Don’t be afraid to use furniture to break up the space. For example, if you have a sofa placed in the middle of the room, a console unit behind it will give good punctuation.
Use a considered collection of prints and artworks that work together to form a cohesive journey.

Green ambitions

Trees: 1,500 to be planted, replacing 300 felled ones, with veteran oaks protected
Lake: Brown's centrepiece to be cleaned of silt that makes it as shallow as 2.5cm
Biodiversity: Bat cave to be added and habitats designed for kingfishers and little grebes
Flood risk: Longer grass, deeper lake, restored ponds and absorbent paths all meant to siphon off water