Egypt and Roma winger Mohamed Salah has defended the tactics of the Pharaohs' Argentinean coach Hector Cuper, who is often criticised for what some believe his overly-cautious strategy.
"I don't think fans will agree when you play well and lose or not qualify for the World Cup and the Africa Cup of Nations," Salah told an Egyptian television programme on Thursday in a pre-recorded interview before the Pharaohs began their Nations Cup campaign.
Cuper also came under fire after Egypt could only settle for a 0-0 draw with Mali in their opening Nations Cup clash last Tuesday.
"Every coach has his way of playing," said fan-favourite Salah.
"Cuper's tactics are very good and more applicable with the players," he added.
"Who said that we don't perform well during the games?"
Egypt will next face Uganda, who lost to Group D opponent Ghana in the second matchday on Saturday.
"All the Africa Cup of Nations games are difficult," said Salah.
"Egypt’s national team’s previous generation won three Africa Cup of Nations titles but they didn't qualify for the World Cup, as the African players’ sense differs in the international qualifiers," he said.
Egypt have moved a step closer to their first World Cup since 1990 as they now lead Group E of the 2018 World Cup qualifiers with six points.
"The current generation is able to reach the World Cup as well as winning the Africa Cup of Nations as the players do their best and we don't have a delinquent player in the squad," the Roma star concluded.
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