Ahead of Egypt's national team friendly against Portugal, the Pharaohs' Argentinean coach Hector Cuper has explained why he chose to face the heavyweights and decided not to play against low-ranking side.

"It's the last camp before starting the final preparations for the World Cup, so we don't have another time to launch such the ongoing camp again," Cuper told a television programme late on Thursday.

Egypt will be playing their most high-profile friendly game against 2016 Euro champions Portugal at the Stadion Letzigrund in Zurich on Friday, as both nations prepare for the World Cup in Russia.

"We could play a friendly against a low-profile team and deceive ourselves with the victory, but I preferred to face a high-profile team to disclose our performance among the heavyweight teams," the Argentinean coach added.

"It's important to show the heavyweight team where you are."

Egypt will face Greece in the Zurich four days later before playing Kuwait, Colombia and Belgium in their final training camp just prior to the Russia finals.

"We will play the second friendly against Greece with a difference starting lineup to test all the recalled 28-players during the camp," Cuper said.

The seven-time African champions, who finally managed to qualify for the World Cup for the first time in 28 years, will be vying in Group A alongside hosts Russia, Uruguay and Saudi Arabia.

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