January 11 showdown: We are x-raying the Egyptian team –Eguavoen
Super Eagles interim coach Augustin (Cerezo) Eguavoen has revealed that he and his technical crew will study the Egyptian squad as a team and as individual players ahead of their January 11 opener at the Stade Omnisport de Garoua.
Eguavoen who tackled the Pharaohs both as a player and a coach admitted in chat with the Glass House television that facing the Egyptians is never a tea party but added that the Eagles will work very hard to rattle the pharaohs in what some have described as must win or must draw match if the Eagles to start on a good note.
“I played against Egypt as a player and as a coach. Facing them in the Africa Cup of Nations will not be an easy task,” Nigeria interim manager told the Nigerian Football Federation TV.
“We will do everything possible to analyse the Egyptian national team, individually and collectively, in order to draw up our plans.
The former Enyimba and Gombe United Coach said player and team x-ray will not be a one sided affair as Egypt will equally be doing the same adding,
“We also expect Egypt to do so because Nigeria is a big name in African football.
“We are currently studying the Egyptian national team, and we will continue to do so until we are prepared to face them,” he added.
In the last six matches played Egypt heading to the Nations cup they won four and drew two against Gabon and Angola respectively in the world cup qualifiers while Nigeria won four drew one against Cape Verde and lost one against Central African Republic CAR.
READ ALSO Eagles relishing chances of lifting Nations cup in Cameroon
Eagles will open campaign in Cameroon against Egypt followed by Jan.15 clash against Sudan and round off the group stage with Jan 19 outing against Guinea Bissau.
Some soccer fans who spoke with Sportinglife.ng on their expectations, say it is important that Eagles win their first match or at worst avoid a defeat to reduce pressure in their quest to advance to the next stage.
The Eagles finished third at the last Nations Cup in Egypt after defeating Tunisia by a lone goal.