“Egypt are a very strong team,it will be difficult to beat them” -Renard

Mahmoud Kahraba scrambled in the winner in the 88th minute as Egypt beat Herve Renard’s Morocco 1-0 on Sunday to reach the semi-finals of the Africa Cup of Nations.

Hector Cuper’s side have still not conceded a goal in four games in Gabon.

https://youtu.be/Bj_zvfIvGn8?list=WL

“It was a very complicated match for both teams for 94 minutes. We both had chances but we were lucky to get the goal from a dead ball,” said Argentine Cuper.

Defeat for Morocco means Renard, following previous triumphs with Zambia and the Ivory Coast, will not become the first man to win a third Cup of Nations title here with a third different country.

“Congratulations to Egypt and their coach,” said Renard.

“They are a very, very strong team who on a difficult pitch managed to play football, so when they find themselves on a better pitch it will be difficult to beat them.”

Given the identities of the two coaches, this tie always looked likely to be a close-fought tactical battle and so it proved on a dreadful pitch in Port-Gentil that the tournament can be glad to see the back of.