Nigeria vs Egypt: Press Conference

Super Eagles coach, Austine Eguavoen, spoke yesterday to the press ahead of the Super Eagles’ first match of the tournament against Egypt. He believes his boys are ready for today’s showdown and the other games. Meanwhile, Egypt coach, Carlos Queiroz was full of praise for the Super Eagles in his press conference.

Read every word from Austine Eguavoen and Carlos Queiroz’ press conference below…

Super Eagles coach, Austin Eguavoen:

About the game Vs Egypt tomorrow:

I have been in this tournament before in 2016 and we finished with the Bronze medal, one thing I can guarantee is that the boys are ready to contest and fight in every game. They (Egypt) have their game plan and we have our plans as well, we shall see how it turns out tomorrow.

Eguavoen on European responses on the tournament:

We have to respect people’s opinions, but there are regulations to release players. It boils down to the individual players, you have to fight for it. We also battled such when we were playing and we fought it because it’s a privilege and honour to play for your country.

Eguavoen on winning the tournament:

It’s a joyful thing to win the AFCON, we will work hard to win, but we have to take it game by game. It’s about the team and country, I am not looking at personal glory, I am looking at the honour we will bring to our country.

Eguavoen on Jamilu Collins:

Collins should arrive tonight, he had issues with his club and the issue has been resolved, he will arrive tonight.

Eguavoen on the appointment of Portuguese coach, Jose Paseiro:

I can say, I am the boss of the new coach (Paseiro), and we have been talking. Collaboration is good, anything we are doing here, it’s important we build a team for him to continue when he takes over and add his own style. It’s important for us to have a good team for the World Cup qualifiers.

Super Eagles captain, Ahmed Musa:

“This is my last AFCON and I want to give it my best just like other competitions I have represented Nigeria. I will always give my best when I am called up, either tournament or the qualifiers.”

Egypt Press Conference

Egypt coach Carlos Queiroz:

It’s a pleasure to play against such a great nation (Nigeria) with many great results and players. They have quality players, we want to be among the best in the tournament and play against the best countries.

I have experience in different competitions, you can’t reach the top of the world if you don’t give it a step. Our ambition is simple, we want to win every time and focus, we also want to play the best football, because the team that plays good football stands a chance of winning.

Egypt captain Mohamed Salah:

Nigeria has players to win the tournament, I am just one player in my team. I don’t take questions and reactions personally, they have good players, but we will try our best to win tomorrow.

I am proud to have fans all over the world, there is always pressure to perform in all the games because of the fans.

I would love to win a major title for Egypt, I am proud to wear the shirt and give my best. I was happy when we qualified for the World Cup after decades of missing the tournament. Team award comes first, I want to win with Egypt. We will do our best to win the tournament, we have a good team.

 The ‘little tournament’ controversy:

“Klopp was saying it as a joke, he wants us to come. He told me, he wishes me to win, I don’t know what he said to Mane. In England, they regard the AFCON as a big tournament.”

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