LIVE: Congo v Egypt | 2018 World Cup Qualification | 10-09-2016
Match Info
Republic of Congo v Egypt
2018 World Cup Qualification
Sunday 6.30pm Cairo Local time, 15:30 ET CANADA-USA
Live on: beIN Sports 1HD
Hector Cuper knows what a jinx looks and feels like. At 60 years old, the worldly manager will probably never again get a chance to put right his persistent and painful habit of finishing second in elite club football.
A silver-medallist in successive Uefa Champions League finals, Cuper also ended up just off top spot in two consecutive Italian Serie A seasons. He has been a runner-up more often than he cares to recall in various places across the Mediterranean, from Mallorca to Greece, from Milan to Valencia.
Ghana, who played a goalless draw with Uganda on Friday night, are in the same Group E, and runner-up is as good as last in this phase of the race for Russia: Only the top-placed finishers will make it. And Ghana in qualifying for the last World Cup hammered Egypt 7-3 on aggregate to go to Brazil.
“I know the history with Ghana but it has no bearing,” said Cuper, a manager who has always been sparing with his public utterances and, even in the most excruciating circumstances, kept his emotions concealed.
Cuper is pleased the leading goalscorer in his squad, Mohamed Salah, has joined up with his compatriots in sparkling form, having thrillingly inspired his club AS Roma to a win last weekend over Cuper’s old employers, Inter. Salah’s searing pace is Egypt’s most potent weapon, and Cuper is a proven master of counter-attacking strategies.
Salah’s zip may be complemented by the quick feet of Mahmoud “Trezeguet” Hassan, another enjoying his club football in Europe. The 22-year-old has two goals and two assists from five matches for his new club, Mouscron of Belgium.
“It’s pleasing to see younger players progressing,” said Cuper, who has been sensitive to criticism that the Pharaohs depend too heavily on the speedy Salah. “When we win it is not just because of Mohamed Salah, but all the players.
“And we will go to Congo looking for all three points.”
