Carlos Queiroz credits pressure for Egypt’s win
Egypt coach Carlos Queiroz says while others crack under pressure, it was a motivating factor in Wednesday’s last 16 post-match shoot-out victory over Cote d’Ivoire.
The Pharaohs beat Cote d’Ivoire 5-4 on post-match penalties following an entertaining 0-0 result after extra-time in a last 16 clash that saw both goalkeepers stealing the show.
Furthermore, Egypt’s number one Mohamed El-Shennawi went off in the 85th minute with a hamstring injury and much to everyone’s relief, his replacement Mohamed Abou-Gabal didn’t buckle under the pressure of the rising climax to the contest.
“We deserved to win during the normal time, but the biggest winner tonight is football,” Queiroz said at the post-match briefing.
“Pressure gives us an inspiration and motivates us to play strongly and please our people.
“I congratulate all the players; they fully deserve to reach the next stage.”
The convincing performance and subsequent passage to the quarterfinals erased Egypt’s stuttering Group D stage form.
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Egypt endured a rough preliminary stage race where they were outplayed and beaten 1-0 by Nigeria in their Group D opener on January 11.
The Pharaohs later laboured to defeat Sudan and Guinea Bissau by similar 1-0 score lines.
Meanwhile, the pressure mounts on the record seven-time AFCON champions who have a massive North African derby quarterfinal showdown against Morocco on January 30.