Afcon draw: Egypt coach envisages difficult group with Nigeria’s Super Eagles, Sudan

Only two teams may make it out of a group that has three former African champions, and the Pharaoh’s head coach is wary of the challenge posed by the other three nations 

Head coach of the Egyptian national football team Hossam El-Badry believes it will not be an easy task for the Pharaohs to qualify from a group that has Nigeria, Sudan, and Guinea-Bissau.

Three-time African champions, Super Eagles, were the seeded Pot 1 team in Group D of the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations tournament.

Still, they inadvertently drew seven-time winners Egypt and 1970 Afcon kings, Sudan. Guinea-Bissau are only making their third appearance at the competition, making their debut at the 2017 edition. 

Judging by their pedigree and boasting one of the best players in the world in two-time African best player Mohamed Salah, Egypt’s Pharaohs will be favourites to finish top of their 2021 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) group in Cameroon.

But coach El-Badry has warned that qualification won’t be a straightforward task for the Pharaohs with Nigeria, Sudan, and Guinea-Bissau in their group.

“Our group was quite balanced and not easy due to the improvement of all these teams, who also have great players,” El-Badry told the press after the draws were made.

“I have great confidence in God and the capabilities of the players to overcome this group and perform well to satisfy the aspirations of the Egyptian fans.”

The Africa Cup of Nations is set to take place between 9 January 2022 and 6 February 2022 across five cities in Cameroon.