Egypt head coach, Carlos Queiroz, has conceded that the Super Eagles are a strong team to face but he is ready to face the three-time champions.
Queiroz, who is set to take part in his second AFCON following a disappointing run with South Africa back in 2002, sent words of comfort to the fans while insisting they are targeting nothing but the title in Cameroon.
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“It’s a great pleasure to face Nigeria in the opening game. We want to face the strongest teams in the tournament,” Queiroz said in his pre-match press conference.
“Nigeria is a very strong team, but we have no objections. It’s always good to compete against football giants. We have a lot of players that are competing among themselves for a starting position, and that’s great because we came here to play seven games.
“Our ambition is very simple. Win all the matches,” the Portuguese coach concluded.
The game will mark the ninth clash between Egypt and Nigeria in the AFCON, with the Pharaohs coming on top three times, losing in three, and two ending in a draw.
Egypt had also opened their AFCON campaign against Nigeria twice before in 1963 and 2010, winning both games, 6-3 and 3-1 respectively.
Moreover, it will be Carlos Queiroz’s second-ever game against Nigeria, having coach Iran against the Super Eagles during the 2014 World Cup, which ended in a dull 0-0 draw.
