Nigeria under pressure, says Egypt coach

Egypt national goalkeeper coach, Ahmed Nagi, says Nigeria’s national team is under pressure to secure good results when both teams clash.

Both teams meet in the back-to-back 2017 Nations Cup qualifiers billed for March 25 and 29 at the Ahmady Bello Stadium in  Kaduna and the Borg El-Arab Stadium in Alexandria respectively.

Coach Siasia is adopting a “no fear” approach saying the Super Eagles have nothing to worry about in the qualifiers but Nagi stressed that the former U-20 handler’s regular comments in the media on the forthcoming match shows he is wary of the Pharaohs and under pressure to deliver good results.

Read also: Musa voted best player in Russia

“Siasia’s statements won’t affect Egypt players, or the coaching staff,” Egypt goalkeeping coach told a television programme Wednesday.

“We’re used to hearing these kinds of comments from African coaches,” he added. “The statements indicate he is worried about the Egypt clash,” he said.

“Siasia respects the Egypt team. He knows our abilities. And we also respect the Nigeria team, as they are strong opponents, so I hope to achieve a positive result,” Nagi said.

He added that the coaching crew is still monitoring the players from the pool listed for the qualifiers.

“The team will hold a camp 19 March as the squad will be announced after the CAF Champions League and Confederation Cup games. Then we will fly to Nigeria on 23 March in a private jet to Kaduna,” the goalkeeping coach revealed.

Egypt are leading group G with six points, two ahead of Nigeria with only the group winners guaranteed automatic qualification for the 2017 Cup of Nations.

 

 

RipplesNigeria …without borders, without fears

Join the conversation

Opinions

Support Ripples Nigeria, hold up solutions journalism

Balanced, fearless journalism driven by data comes at huge financial costs.

As a media platform, we hold leadership accountable and will not trade the right to press freedom and free speech for a piece of cake.

If you like what we do, and are ready to uphold solutions journalism, kindly donate to the Ripples Nigeria cause.

Your support would help to ensure that citizens and institutions continue to have free access to credible and reliable information for societal development.

Donate Now