El Kouki confident as Al Masry target semi-final spot in CAF Confederation Cup

Al Masry head coach Nabil El Kouki has emphasized that his side still have every chance of reaching the semi-finals of the CAF Confederation Cup, ahead of their decisive clash against CR Belouizdad.

The Egyptian side were held to a 1-1 draw in the first leg at the Suez Stadium, leaving the tie finely balanced heading into the return leg in Algeria.

“The Tie Is Still Open”

Speaking during the pre-match press conference, El Kouki said:

“We delivered a strong performance in the first leg, but the result was not in our favor on paper,” he said.

The Tunisian coach emphasized that the team has worked intensively in training to correct mistakes and improve their efficiency in front of goal.

“We have focused on addressing our negatives and being more clinical in front of goal,” he added.

Respect for Belouizdad’s Strength

El Kouki acknowledged the challenge awaiting his team, especially given the strength of CR Belouizdad at home.

“We know how strong Belouizdad are, especially playing on their ground and in front of their fans,” he noted.

However, he remains confident in his players’ mentality and experience.

“Focus will make the difference. We are capable of scoring away from home, and qualification is still not decided for either side.”

Experience and Ambition

El Kouki also highlighted the importance of handling pressure in such high-stakes matches, stressing that both teams will feel the weight of the occasion.

“The pressure will be on both teams. Our players have enough experience to deal with this situation,” he said.

He concluded with a strong message of ambition:

“We have a legitimate ambition to qualify and go all the way to win the title.”

With everything still to play for, Al Masry will head into the second leg with belief, aiming to turn their performance into a decisive result and secure a place in the semi-finals.

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