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The presence of Portuguese football tactician, Carlos Queiroz as Egypt’s coach to this year’s Africa Cup of Nations has been cited as a major threat Nigeria will face when both countries clash on January 11.
It promises to be the biggest match of Group D at this year’s Africa soccer showpiece in Cameroon, with both sides reenacting a historic rivalry that dates back to the early 80s.
With both teams stocked to the hilt with star players from England and other top footballing nations of the world, all forecasts of Group D have singled this one out as the big game to watch out for, but The Pharaohs appear with an edge.
Egypt enter the game as Africa’s biggest winning team at this level, with seven title to their credit, as against only three for Nigeria, but a rundown by British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) noted that the presence of Queiroz on The Pharaohs’ bench could make a world of difference.
Heading into the blockbuster match on January 11 in Garoua, BBC Sports’ Africa website noted that the former Manchester United of England and Real Madrid of Spain assistant coach knows what it takes to tinker wining teams.
Egypt’s squad is the the sixth national team that the 68-year-old Queiroz, who was also in charge of Real Madrid and assistant to Alex Ferguson at Man United, has taken charge of after departing as Colombia coach last year.
Queiroz has also coached his native Portugal twice, United Arab Emirates, South Africa and Iran, who he took to the last two World Cups, in Brazil and Russia.
The Portuguese coach, who was born in Mozambique, left Colombia by mutual consent in December 2020 after a poor start to World Cup qualifying, but it was not until September 2021 that he got the job in Egypt.
While Nigeria’s own Portuguese gaffer, Jose Peseiro will only be in Garoua as a ‘mre oberver,’ with Augustine Eguavoen set to serve as iterim coach for the period of the championship only, Quiroz’s acumen is expected to take the cake against the Nigerians.
The analysis by Yasmine Elkaffas, BBC Arabic journalist, noted: “Egypt are the most successful team in the history of the tournament, winning an unprecedented third consecutive Nations Cup in 2010 to claim their seventh title.
“But despite all these records, there is still some doubt whether the Pharaohs can compete this time around.
“The dream of an eighth crown was shattered in 2019 when Egypt, as host nation, were knocked out by South Africa in the round of 16 after delivering a disappointing performance which drew a lot of criticism.
“But under the leadership of Portuguese coach Carlos Queiroz the team has restored its character.
“This was clearly shown in the Fifa Arab Cup as Egypt reached the semi-finals despite the absence of key players like Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah, Arsenal’s Mohamed Elneny and Galatasaray’s Mostafa Mohamed.
“On paper, Egypt face stiff competition from defending champions Algeria, Africa’s top-ranked team Senegal, Nigeria, Tunisia and hosts Cameroon to emerge as champions on 6 February.”
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