By Sibusiso Dlamini | 2018-10-16

SOCCER – EGPYT national soccer team head coach Javier Aguirre says his side would  prove that they can still win without the influence of star forward Mohamed Salah.

The mentor said this during the pre-match press conference at the Mavuso Sports Centre yesterday afternoon.

The Mexican-born mentor said while Salah was definitely the most influential player in his team, he was adamant he had enough talent in his hands to get the desired results.

Challenged

He challenged his charges to prove in today’s crunch AFCON 2019 Qualifiers return-leg fixture against Sihlangu. This follows Sihlangu’s 1 – 4 loss during the first leg played in Cairo last week Friday.

“Yes, I do admit that Salah is a very influential player in the team and one of the best in the world currently, but the Egyptian national soccer team isn’t just him. We have other talented players who are as able to grind the desired results for us. This is why I have also told them that today’s match will have to be a challenge to them – to prove they can do it without Salah,” he said.

When quizzed on his approach for the game, Aguirre said he had learnt from the first leg that Sihlangu had quick players, who had a never-say-die attitude, so he wanted to make sure he doesn’t drop the ball or give them space.

“We respect Eswatini, and we know they are a very good side. They played a good game against us back home, especially their performance in the second half. This Eswatini team has quick players, who have a never-say-die attitude as they fight for the entire duration of the match. They are not a side to be ruled out easily, because they could surprise you – especially when you consider the fact that they are in their very own backyard,” he concluded.

Efforts to interview Arsenal midfielder Mohamed Naser Elsayed Elneny proved futile as the scheduled press-conference after the team’s training session was later on called-off. The ‘Pharaohs,’ as the Egyptian national team is affectionately known, will take on the country national pride in a match billed for the Mavuso Sports Centre this afternoon.

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