Egypt coach Hector Cuper has revealed that the mentality of the Nigerian players is what worries him most.
The Pharaohs host the Super Eagles in their Gabon 2017 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying reverse fixture in Alexandria on Tuesday.
Both teams shared a match point in their leg fixture in Kaduna on Friday. The encounter ended 1-1.
Cuper told supersport.com that Nigeria had a very good squad that were better in Kaduna.
The Argentine coach said, “They all play in Europe and have a good professional frame of mind. Their mentality is as solid as a rock and they do not want to let their country down.
“We played a good game in Nigeria but so did they. We need shots at their goal and have to get there quicker and more often.
“Nigeria want all three points in Alexandria, this means they must take risks. We respect them but are also ready for them.”
The 60-year-old former Inter Milan manager says he is not concerned with Chad’s withdrawal from the qualifiers. After the nullification of Chad’s results, Egypt remain top of Group G on four points, two points clear of second-placed Nigeria.
“We don’t care whether Chad have withdrawn. We focus only on achieving victory against Nigeria, this is the most important thing,” the former Valencia manager added.
A win on Tuesday would put the seven-time African champions, who failed to qualify for the last three African tournaments, on the brink of qualification for Gabon 2017.
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