LIVE UPDATES: Egypt vs Uganda (2019 AFCON)

There will be contrasting pressures on the teams with the Pharaohs eyeing a second-round place and the Leopards fighting for survival after a horror first outing.

“We must learn to handle the pressure of being among the favourites in order to realise our goal of becoming African champions,” said Aguirre.

Egypt have now lost only one of their last 26 games in the Africa Cup of Nations - against Cameroon in the 2017 final - and another victory on Wednesday will allow Aguirre to turn focus towards the last 16.

Salah may not have got off the mark against Zimbabwe, meanwhile, but he has still been involved in four of his side's last six goals in the biennial showpiece - two goals of his own and two assists.

If the competition's most successful side are to land an eighth crown, they will need their superstar forward to find his groove.

DR Congo came to Egypt as one of the most unpredictable qualifiers having finished third in 2015 only to make a timid quarter-final exit two years ago.

“We let our country down against Uganda,” confessed Captain Youssouf Mulumbu. “It was a bitter lesson for us and we plan to correct the situation quickly.”

Stay with us for all the updates. Game starts at 8pm GMT.