Burkina Faso coach Duarte has Mourinho on call
LIBREVILLE: Burkina Faso’s coach Paulo Duarte will draw confidence from a call from mentor Jose Mourinho on the eve of today’s African Nations Cup semi-final against Egypt.
“He is a friend, a father figure and one who over the years has changed the mentality of coaching football not only in Portugal but around the world.
“His method of training, the dynamic he brings to clubs and his analysing of opponents have made him the leader of a generation of new trainers,” the 47-year-old Duarte told a pre-match news conference after being asked a question about his links with the Manchester United coach.
“You are magician to ask me a question like that because he actually called me yesterday. He also called me the last time I was here in Gabon when we played a friendly match against Portugal,” explained Duarte, who was coach of Gabon before returning for a second spell as Burkina Faso coach.
“He’s a friend. A great leader. We might speak only once or twice in a while but he is always willing to give advice.”
Duarte’s last seasons as a player overlapped with the start of Mourinho’s coaching career at Uniao Leiria in Portugal.
Meanwhile, Egypt, who made a slow start on their return to the Africa Cup of Nations, have reached the semifinals without conceding and are getting stronger as the tournament progresses.
Coach Hector Cuper says they are chasing a “dream that is getting closer and closer with each game”.
Egypt won three successive titles between 2006 and 2010 but then did not qualify for the next three editions of the tournament.
“History is very important and I know all of Egypt expects but my job has been to prepare this side for the Nations Cup without looking back at what happened in the past,” the Argentinian coach said yesterday.
“We wanted to come here and just do well but now that we have got this far, our ambi- tion is now to go on and reach the final and win the cup.”
Egypt drew their opening game with Mali and then snatched a last-minute winner against Uganda before beating Ghana to top Group D. They then edged past edged Morocco 1-0 in Sunday’s quarter-final.
“I believe in their capabilities but I’ve been amazed by their determination,” added former Valencia and Inter Milan boss Cuper of his 23man squad.
“I’ve never seen a group of players who love their country so much. They, as a new generation of players, have high ambitions to win an eighth title for Egypt. I feel that dream is coming true.”
Cuper’s side will be without injured midfield link man Mohamed Elneny of Arsenal and striker Marwaan Mohsen for today’s semi-final in Libreville. “It’s a pity they are out but we will have to adjust,” Cuper added. – Reuters