Egypt coach Cuper highlights Cameroon's strengths ahead of AFCON final

'Similar' opponents, Egypt and Cameroon will be facing a difficult test when they meet in the African Cup of Nations final Sunday

Ahmed Abd El Rasoul , Saturday 4 Feb 2017,
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Cuper
Egypt's head coach Hector Cuper looks on during a new conference ahead of the African Nations Cup final soccer match against Cameroon tomorrow, in Libreville, Gabon February 4, 2017. (Reuters)

Egypt coach Hector Cuper says "similar" opponent Cameroon have certain strengths ahead of the African Cup of Nations final, insisting that both teams will be facing a difficult test  Sunday.

"Cameroon is a very strong team whose qualification for the final is a well-deserved one," Cuper said in a press conference Saturday.

"They are a physically strong, skillful and well organised team with talented players," he added.

The Pharaohs, who reached the AFCON final after beating Burkina Faso Wednesday in a penalty shootout, will face tough opponents Cameroon in the continental tournament's final after the latter defeated heavyweight Ghana in the semifinal Thursday.

"I think that Egypt and Cameroon are similar teams. The game will be tough for both sides, especially as every team has its own weapons," said the 61-year-old tactician.

"We are suffering from fatigue and injuries, but all players are currently undergoing full rehabilitation and finally we will select who is ready for the match.

"I hope that we will win the match and return with the title and that will depend on our performance," he added.

Bright future waits Salah

AS Roma star Mohamed Salah was a key member in guiding the Egyptian team to reach the prestigious tournament final, scoring two crucial goals in the two important games against Ghana and Burkina Faso.

"I spent a marvelous coaching experience in the Italian league that was the strongest in the world at the time," the former Inter Milan coach explained.

"I learned a lot of things there, like professionalism and commitment in football. Salah is currently playing in Italy and he is one of the best players in Serie A after adapting quickly and improving himself a lot. He waits a bright future there," the coach concluded.

Egypt won the last of their record seven titles in Angola in 2010 under former coach Hassan Shehata.

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Group A W D L P
Cameroon
2 1 0 7
Burkina Faso
1 1 1 4
Cape Verde
1 1 1 4
Ethiopia
0 1 2 1
Group B W D L P
Senegal
1 2 0 5
Guinea
1 1 1 4
Malawi
1 1 1 4
Zimbabwe
1 0 2 3
Group C W D L P
Morocco
2 1 0 7
Gabon
1 2 0 5
Comoros
1 0 2 3
Ghana
0 1 2 1
Group D W D L P
Nigeria
3 0 0 9
Egypt
2 0 1 6
Sudan
0 1 2 1
Guinea Bissau
0 1 2 1
Group E W D L P
Cote d Ivoire
2 1 0 7
Equatorial Guinea
2 0 1 6
Sierra Leone
0 2 1 2
Algeria
0 1 2 1
Group F W D L P
Mali
2 1 0 7
Gambia
2 1 0 7
Tunisia
1 0 2 3
Mauritania
0 0 3 0