EGYPT head coach Mahmoud Gaber has said his side are in high spirits as they aim for their first win of the U-20 Africa Cup of Nations when they face Nigeria’s Flying Eagles this evening.
The hosts were held to a 0-0 draw by Mozambique in their opening Group A fixture on Sunday in Cairo, while the Flying Eagles were beaten 1-0 by Senegal on the same day.
Egypt were dominant against Mozambique in the opening match of the tournament at the Cairo International Stadium but failed to find the breakthrough.
Gaber is confident that will not be the case today.
“We started working right after the Mozambique game,” Gaber told CAF Online. “Everyone is ready and we’re very motivated to win.
“It is possible that we will change the way we play against Nigeria. We watched the Nigeria-Senegal match and we prepared well for the match.”
The former Ismaily coach expects the Flying Eagles to be more open and attacking, which he feels will suit his side.
“We suffered from a low defensive block against Mozambique, and we will not suffer from this against Nigeria due to the different way of playing,” he noted.
Egypt defender Omar Fayed believes the Pharaohs were unlucky against Mozambique and are equal to any opposition in the tournament.
“We respect all the teams, but we are not afraid to play against any team,” the Arab Contractors player said.
“Our goal is to get the three points and we will fight for the win.”
