Ahead of the double-header against the Super Eagles of Nigeria, the head coach of Pharaohs of Egypt, Hector Cuper, has disclosed that he intends to help the team defeat Nigeria, win the 2017 Nations cup and qualify for the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia.
Coach of Pharaohs of Egypt, Hector Cuper
Egypt face the Super Eagles of Nigeria in Kaduna on March 23 in a crucial 2017 African Nations Cup (AFCON) qualifier, with the return-leg in Cairo five days later.
In an interview with fifa.com, Cuper who had stated that he knew the team that will play Nigeria, added that he would have loved to avoid such team.
“I would be lying if I said that I don’t wish to avoid certain teams in the World Cup draw, but my job is to get Egypt prepared for any opponent. My job is to make the likes of Côte d’Ivoire, for instance, be worried that they will face us,”he started.
“The only question I had when I came here was: what do Egyptians exactly want me to achieve? They had a big target which was to reach the World Cup and to win the Nations Cup after some disappointments.
“These goals will not be easy and will need time and hard work, and we will be under pressure to deliver, but I believe we can do these things. Otherwise Iwouldnot have accepted the offer in the first place.”
“We have the right balance between young and experienced players, some of whom play in top European leagues.”
Cuper also revealed that the Egyptian FA has been outstanding in their support and promised not to let the country down.
“I haven’t faced any problems since I came here. I adapted very well to everything and the people have warmly welcomed me. Here, there is the kind of football passion that any manager would like to see. You can smell this in the air.”
“Some rich countries naturally have great living conditions but lack this aspect, which is very important to motivate any coach. Being under constant pressure is a blessing because it shows how people care about football and what you are doing.”
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