Pharaohs fearless against Super Eagles, says Cuper

Having worked hard to put his team in a confident mood, Egypt’s national team coach, Hector Cuper, says his side will respect any team and be fearless in their bid to qualify for the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations, as well as the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia, reports goal.com.

The Pharaohs have won the Afcon title for a record seven times, but have failed to qualify for the last three editions of the tournament, while they have failed to reach the Fifa World Cup since their last appearance in 1990, where they got bundled out in the first round.

Group G leaders, Egypt face Nigeria in their next Afcon qualifier and the Argentine tactician insists his side will not look down on any team because it has hurt them in the past.

“There is no such thing as easy opponents as journalists call them,” Cuper told Fifa.com.“We must respect any team regardless of the ranking and history, because Egypt itself has suffered in the past qualifiers because it dropped points in what you call easy games.

“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.“I repeatedly tell my players that we can make people happy. Many people are suffering from the problems of everyday life.

“Some are poor, some are unemployed. For those people, football might be their ultimate source of joy,” he concluded.
Under Cuper’s stewardship, the Pharaohs have been promising, winning three games and recording a defeat in four competitive games, and they have won four of five friendly matches.