Egypt U-20 coach speaks on challenges after qualifying for AFCON quarter-finals

Photo credit: Egyptian Football Association.

Egypt U-20 coach speaks about challenges after qualifying for AFCON quarter-finals

Egypt U-20 head coach Osama Nabih spoke about the challenges his team faced in the recent period, following their qualification to the quarter-finals of the U-20 Africa Cup of Nations hosted in Egypt.

The young pharaohs defeated Tanzania 1-0 in the fourth round of the group stage of the U-20 AFCON and qualified as one of the best third-placed teams.

Egypt will face Ghana in the quarter-finals on May 12 at 3:00 PM GMT at Suez Stadium.

Osama Nabih said after the match: "There was great divine help. We scored a goal and were able to preserve it from the first 7-8 minutes. The players put in a very big effort. The psychological pressure they went through in the past few days was very big. As we got closer to the match day, we had to win the match. Therefore, we were in a very big challenge during the past six days."

He added: "The players, despite their young age and lack of experience, played a very big role during this period and made the match appear as you saw, despite the numerical shortage in the final minutes. I want to thank the players. And of course, we still have a very, very important stop — the next match."

He continued: "We faced four national teams and we know their physical capabilities — meaning they are high — so the players made great physical efforts throughout the four matches. And the problem also is that we played one more match than others in the group stage."

Nabih added: "I wish the players success in the coming period. The physical factors are very important. In 48 hours, we will play a match that qualifies us for the World Cup, but we are betting on the Egyptian human element and the motivation within the players. The Egyptian element is known for giving its best in times of adversity."

He also said: "Certainly, I have problems, and the players are gaining experience from such matches. The cohesion during the past period will benefit them in the upcoming phase."

He continued: "The four matches we played — three of them we played in the same way. The match we lost was somewhat open. The win over South Africa gave the players some confidence. In the following match, the players wanted to play football."

He added: "During the last two months in which I have taken over the responsibility, we tried to do the best possible to appear well during the tournament and to qualify for the World Cup. The work and effort that was put in was very difficult, and certainly there will be mistakes and problems. The players gain experience from such matches. Tanzania lost all of its matches 1-0, and from that you understand that they are a big and organized team. The team that has no pressure gives its best."

On facing Ghana after two days and the physical aspect, Osama Nabih said: "This goes back to the foundation. But we have nothing that can raise the physical side. We will do recovery in order to quickly regain some physical capacity.

"We are trying to use the most advanced recovery methods. In the end, you are a human being and have limited capacity, and you’ve used all the tools you have. We hope to be able to manage the injuries we have.

"We substituted a player and brought in another, and an injury occurred. When the player comes out of the nervous tension, the size of the injury appears. We will not be able to increase the physical side. We were dealing with it during the past six days, treating problems and injuries."

And he concluded: "The players now have great motivation. We must take advantage of their drive and motivation. They have had a message since day one that the entire squad will play the matches. The players always rotate roles on the field, and we will prepare the best group of players that can play the upcoming match. And all we can say is that we must fight in the next match — technically, physically, and mentally. We must fight well."