Ekoku: Hassan key to Egypt

If we get anything like the first 15 minutes of these teams' World Cup play-off then we will not have a pretty game of football.

I think the players let the occasion get the better of them: there were lots of fouls, players trying to get each other booked and sent off, and very few cool heads.

I understand the rivalry and the passion between fellow North Africans but you have to be professional enough to do your job, and the team that doesn’t allow themselves to get dragged into unsavoury incidents has a head start.

In the last match Algeria raised their game and Egypt, who looked nervous, were unable to break them down.

This time though it’s on Egypt’s territory - there is no pressure, most of these players have won it twice in succession and skipper Ahmed Hassan was won it three times, scoring the winning goal in the 1998 final.

Algeria are a strong, physical side but Egypt have the knowledge of how to perform at this level and I think they have the creative players in midfield that can make a difference.

The calm head of Hassan will be key for Egypt. Aged 34, this is possibly his last chance to win another international trophy.

Up front Emad Moteab and Mohamed Zidan have a bit more about them in terms of pace and quality than Algeria’s strikers.

For the Desert Foxes, if Wolfsburg’s Karim Ziani sees enough of the ball he can have an impact.

He’s been quiet this tournament but became more influential as the quarter-final with Ivory Coast progressed, although I think Egypt’s defence will be more disciplined.

The energy of people like Portsmouth’s Nadir Belhadj is key - late into extra time against the Ivorians he was still making runs and tackles. The determination of him and Madjid Bougherra could see them through.

Revenge will be on the mind of the Egyptians but I just hope we get some good football and that it doesn’t degenerate into a battle: we need a strong referee.

Because of the pressure and fear of losing a match like this, I think the longer it goes on the more scared both sides will get of losing, forcing extra time at least. A good start, though, could really get it going.