Match Info:
Match time & date: 16 Mar 2013 – 21:30 (Cairo/Egypt Time)
Egypt
Coach Rabie Yassin says Egyptian youth team are determined to qualify for African Championship semifinals despite tough competition in group stage.
“It will be really tough to meet three powerful opponents in the ‘group of death’ – hosts Algeria, three-time winner Ghana and former winner Benin who eliminated a strong Ghana side in the qualifiers,” Yassin told Modern Sports TV
“We won the trophy twice [1991 and 2003] and we will not be easy prey for our rivals despite our current difficult circumstances,” he added.
“I watched over 800 players. The squad cannot be better. We will depend on one striker, Omar Bassam of Ahly and support from good attacking midfielders Ahmed Samir (Dakhleya), Ahmed Refaat (ENPPI), Amir Adel (Feyenoord) and Saleh Gomaa (ENPPI),” Yassin said.
Ghana
The Ghana coach shrugged off the tag of the favorites going into the opening day of the tournament taking place in Algeria. “ That is okay for others and those who choose to look at it that way but we certainly don’t see it like that at all. All teams here have equal chances of winning and we will not approach any match thinking we are favourites. Yes we have prepared well, yes we know our strengths and we are ready to give it our best and God willing and all else going our way, we would like to succeed” said Tetteh.
Tetteh went on to say that the first match is crucial and in Egypt they have a formidable opponent, so he expects a tough encounter. The Ghanaian side spent time in Italy and Spain preparing and in Spain they beat Navarra B side 3-2 and drew with Barcelona B side 1-1. Tetteh said he expects to face a vastly improved and more polished Egypt side from the one his charges beat 3-0 earlier on during preparations. “We know a bit about Egypt but for sure they are a good side, that passes well and are technically sound. Part of our preparation has been on mental strengthening and as coaching staff we have drilled the boys on mental toughness which l know will be a factor in this tournament”
