Afcon 2017 qualifier: Egypt ‘ll not fear Nigeria – Cuper

Super Eagle.

Egypt’s national team coach Hector Cuper has said that his side will respect any team and be fearless in their bid to qualify for the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations as well as the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia.

The Pharaohs have won the Afcon title for a record seven times, but have failed to qualify for the last three editions of the tournaments, while they have failed to reach the FIFA World Cup since their last appearance in 1990, where they got bundled out in the first round.

WINNERS. . . Super Eagles squad before the friendly match against the Indomitable Lions of Cameroun in Belgium.

Group G leaders, Egypt face Nigeria in their next Afcon qualification match and the Argentine tactician insists his side will not look down on any team because it has hurt them in the past.

Cuper told Fifa.com: “There is no such thing as easy opponents as journalists call them.

“We must respect any team regardless of the ranking and history, because Egypt itself has suffered in the past qualifiers because it dropped points in what you call easy games.

“I would be lying if I said that I don’t wish to avoid certain teams in the World Cup draw, but my job is to get Egypt prepared for any opponent.

“My job is to make the likes of Côte d’Ivoire, for instance, be worried that they will face us.

“I repeatedly tell my players that we can make people happy. Many people are suffering from everyday problems.

“Some are poor, some are unemployed. For those people, football might be their ultimate source of joy.”