Egypt To Ball Cameroon In AFCON Final on Sunday - Verdict

Judging by the tournament, the current two giants of African football will meet in the Cup of Nations on Sunday night, with both sides hoping to reclaim what they feel is their rightful place at the top of the continent’s game after Nigeria the defending champion failed to even qualify for the event.

Egypt, the tournament’s most successful team ever are into the final for the first time since their hat-trick of victories between 2006 and 2010. since then, they haven’t been able to qualify for the tournament, so their re-emergence has been something of a surprise to the continent at large.

But that is nothing compared to the surprise Cameroon have produced. With their squad decimated by withdrawals, the Indomitable Lions have still managed to get to a first final since 2008, and are gunning for a first title since 2002.

Both sides are more reliant on team chemistry than individuals, but they have also seen stars emerge in this tournament. Sportsmail looks at the two strongest XIs, and how they match up.

Egypt Goalkeeper: Essam El-Hadary – what can you say about El-Hadary? The oldest man ever to play at the tournament, he is now 44 and is a veteran of four successful AFCON campaigns. Confident, but prone to the odd lapse in judgement, he remains the leader of this team, and was the hero in the semi-final shoot-out.

Cameroon Goalkeeper: Fabrice Ondoa – a mystery to some, a joy to others, Ondoa is fun to watch, but prone to the odd error. Despite almost no significant club career so far (he left Barcelona’s academy and is currently with Sevilla’s B team) he is a star when he plays for his country. Brilliant against Senegal in the quarter-finals, the young man must show he has one more big game in him.

Egypt Right Back: Ahmed Elmohamady – having been left out of the first two games, the Hull City defender has come back in and performed admirably as part of the tournament’s best defence. Also a source of creativity, his crossing is a vital part of Egypt’s attacking play.

 Cameroon Right Back: Collins Fai – perhaps the primary beneficiary from all the withdrawals, Fai has been a revelation, the best full-back in the tournament. Solid defensively, and fun going forward, his only problem is the occasional rash tackle, which he got away with against Senegal in the quarter-final.

Egypt Centre Back: Ahmed Hegazy – perhaps the stand-out defender of the tournament. Big, strong, and adept at reading the game, he has been brilliant at the heart of the Pharaohs back line.

Cameroon Centre Back: Michael Ngadeu-Ngadjui – Another who might not have started had everyone chosen to play, the 26-year-old is keeping Nicolas NKoulou out of the side thanks to his impressive displays. Big, strong, and calm on the ball, he has even contributed two goals, making him Cameroon's top scorer.

Egypt Centre Back: Ali Gabr – alongside Hegazy he has marshaled this defence brilliantly, though he did lose Aristide Bance for the equalizer in the semi-final. As that’s the only goal Egypt have conceded all tournament, you can put that down to a temporary lapse.

Cameroon Centre Back: Adolphe Teikeu – like his centre-back partner, Teikeu has come as a bit of a surprise, but suits this defensive system very well with his no-nonsense style, and looks better than a man playing in Ligue 2 in France.

Egypt Left Back: Ahmed Fathy – another of the more experienced players, he played in all three wins in the late 2000s. Primarily a right back, he has moved across to the left and used all his experience to shut down Bertrand Traore in the semi, especially considering his first-half booking. Solid, dependable and still a class act.

Cameroon Left Back: Ambroise Oyongo – the Montreal Impact defender is the first man at this tournament to really keep Christian Atsu quiet, one of the stand-out players at the Cup of Nations.

Egypt Centre Midfielder: Tarek Hamed – In an Egyptian midfield that has been more about protecting the back four than creating much going forward, he has done his job without too much fuss.

Cameroon Centre Midfielder: Sebastien Siani – perhaps the best all-round midfielder of the tournament so far. Siani is both protective shield and attacking springboard, carrying the ball well through the middle of the park. Crucial to this Cameroon side.

Egypt Centre Midfielder: Mohamed Elneny – doubts remain about the Arsenal man’s fitness, but if he plays he adds much-needed energy and composure in the middle of the park. Not at his best so far in the tournament, but if he does play, it would be a huge boost for Egypt.

Cameroon Centre Midfielder: Arnaud Djoum – it feels odd that a hearts midfielder has outshone any Premier League star at this tournament, but that has been the case, in the two games he has played. Djoum has not been spectacular, but he has not needed to be, simply protecting the defence and being a key part of the system that has taken Cameroon to the final.

Egypt Right Wing: Mohamed Salah – it seems odd to suggest that Salah has had a quiet tournament, because he has scored two brilliant goals and produced one vital assist (and Egypt have only scored four goals, so that’s a huge contribution). But his brilliance has been limited to a few magic moments so far, as teams double up on the Pharaohs’ star man.

Cameroon Right Wing: Christian Bassogog – the x-factor for Cameroon, he has been super on the wing. Still only 21, there is much more to come from Bassogog, who could well earn himself a big move. Quick, skillful, and able to go inside or outside his full-back, he has been the attacking star in this team.

Egypt Attacking Midfielder: Abdallah Said – This Egypt side love to play on the break, so Said is less of a natural No 10 and more of a channel for counter-attacks to flow through. He has looked dangerous at times, but as yet hasn’t quite set the tournament alight – though his calm finish against Uganda got Egypt up and running in Gabon.

Cameroon Attacking Midfielder: Benjamin Moukandjo – played on the left in the semi-final, but could well return to his starting 10 role for the showpiece. He has been inspirational, producing a brilliant free kick in the first game, linking nicely with Bassogog, and working hard defensively for his team. A true leader.

Egypt Left Wing: Ramadan Sobhi – Mostly used from the bench so far, but impressive in patches, the Stoke starlet could start the final given the problems up front. Skillful and hard to pin down, the only question is whether he can get himself involved in the game enough.

Cameroon Left Wing: Karl Ekambi – dropped in place of Jacques Zoua for the semi-final, it’s not clear which of the two will get the nod in the final, but Ekambi on the left, with Moukandjo inside, is a more natural fit.

Egypt Striker: Mahmoud Hassan – With Marwan Mohsen and Ahmed Hassan both out, Egypt had to move Kahraba, usually a winger, up front for the semi-final, but he is now suspended, so it’s a mystery as to who will start in the role for the final. The best bet is the man known as ‘Trezeguet’, who has impressed on the left with his direct running.

Cameroon Striker: Robert Ndip Tambe – not the most subtle of centre-forwards, but he has done a good job for his team, working hard and moving centre-backs around to create space for better players around him. The fact that he has kept Vincent Aboubakar out of the team for the entire tournament suggests he is doing something right.