Hector Cuper “The Tunisian team is very powerful”
Egypt coach Hector Cuper has shown confidence ahead of the match against Tunisia in the first round of the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers, scheduled for 11 June.
“We are going to Tunisia to win. I trust my players’ enthusiasm and determination. We know that preparing players will not be easy because the season ended for European-based players,” Cuper told a press conference on Sunday amid the start of the preparatory camp for the game.
“We want to use the experience the players won from the last edition of the Africa Cup of Nations,” he added.
Egypt, runners-up of the 2017 finals, have been drawn in Group J alongside Tunisia, Niger and Swaziland.
Commenting on Ahly duo Hossam Ashour and Amr Gamal, who returned to the Pharaohs squad after a long absence from the international scene, Cuper said the duo are the best choices for the game.
“Gamal is a good striker and we trust his abilities as he deserves to play the game,” Cuper added.
Cuper has indicated his respect for the “very powerful” North African team.
“The Tunisian team is very powerful, especially after hiring their new manager [Nabil Maloul]. I don’t think there will be big changes in their team,” the coach said.
The group champions will make it to the tournament stage in Cameroon in January 2019, along with the three best teams from among those taking second place in the group stage.
