We’re here to win - Egypt Under-23s

MBABANE – “We are well prepared for the game. We respect Eswatini but we came with one objective to win the game.”

This was the reaction of the Egypt’s Under-23s Captain Ehahim Adel in a pre-match interview yesterday. The Young Pharaohs will face the local Under-23s at Somhlolo National Stadium today at 3pm in the Africa

Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers. Adel was in the company of his Head Coach, Rogerio Micale, who said they had come for the first leg with an intention to play a good game. He said they prepared the same way they do for any other games they play. Notably, it will be the first official match of the Brazilian coach who took charge three months ago.

Meanwhile, Eswatini Coach Sifiso

‘Nuro’ Ntibane said they had an injury-free squad which trained so well and they would not put the players under pressure. Ntibane said tactically, physically and psychologically the boys were ready as they had also done some video analysis of Egypt.

NOT TO CONCEDE AT HOME

“With two-legged games, it’s important not to concede at home and get a positive result because away a lot is happening. The opponents would have read you and a lot of mind games might happen. We’re

aiming for positive results so we go away with them,” the gaffer said.

His captain, Kwakhe Tfwala, promised the nation positive results from the game. He said the coaches had prepared them and it would now depend on how they apply what they have been taught by the coaches. The return match is set for Cairo on October 30. Winners of this round will play winners between Zambia and Sierra Leone in the third round before qualifying for the finals set for Morocco next year.