Egypt's head coach Bob Bradley of the U.S. (Photo: Reuters)
Egypt coach Bob Bradley expressed concern over the 2014 Brazil World Cup qualifiers that will start with the Mozambique clash Friday.
“The start is always hard because all teams, including small ones, are eager to make it to the World Cup,” the American manager said in a press conference Tuesday.
Bradley mentioned the 2010 qualifiers when Egypt, under former coach Hassan Shehata, failed to qualify after losing to Zambia in the first match.
The winners of seven African Cup of Nations (CAN) trophies are tied with Mozambique, Zimbabwe, and Guinea in their World Cup bid.
“Mozambique is a powerful team that combined players with high technical and physical levels,” the former United States coach added.
The Pharaohs will host their southern Africa opponents in Borg El-Arab stadium in Alexandria behind closed doors due to security concerns.
“We are trying to prepare the player for the absence of fans in the stadium as it won’t be easy at all,” the 56-year old manage insisted.
The absence of stars Shikabala, Barakat, El-Abd
Bradley asserted that the technical staff didn't care about the popularity of each player, "not caring about their names;" they simply called players who are ready for the challenge.
“Shikabla is not psychologically ready because of his recent clash with Zamalek coach and we talked with Ahly’s Barakat, who although he is a very good player, the team doesn’t need him now. We will call him in a more decisive matches,” he concluded.
England-based defender, who plays for Brighton, Adam El-Abd is confirmed to miss the game as his passport registering procedures is still ongoing and “would take to over three month” as assistant coach Dia’a El-Sayed confirmed to Ahram Online.
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