Egypt's national soccer team players (Photo: Reuters)
Egypt will face Ghana in the African World Cup qualifiers playoff, drawn at the CAF headquarters in Cairo Monday.
Ahram Online collected immediate reactions from football stars and officials right after the draw took place.
Bob Bradley
American manager Bob Bradley expressed confidence after the draw.
"There is no need to worry as we could have been paired with any of the five teams and they are all powerful," Bradley said. "We are ready for the matches and I am personally hoping that we can play the second leg in front of our fans," the 56 year-old tactician added.
Zaki Abdel-Fattah
Goalkeeper coach Zaki Abdel-Fattah echoed Bradley.
"We trust our players abilities in defeating Ghana to go to the World Cup. They vowed during their match against Guinea [which Egypt won 4-2] that they will play each game as though a decider," Abdel-Fattah said.
Samir Adly
The Pharaohs managing director Samir Adly said that Bradley expected the draw against Ghana.
"We are in contact with many of our international players to join the training camp ahead of the tough games. We have videos of the Ghanaian team's latest matches, in order to study their tactics and skills," Adly said.
Hani Abu Rida
FIFA Executive Committee member and former vice president of the Egyptian Football Association, Hani Abou Rida, said he is very happy to avoid meeting Arab opponents Tunisia and Algeria.
"We trust Bradley. But the match against Ghana will not be easy at all. We need to prepare well to clinch the qualification ticket," Abou Rida said.
Mido
Former Egypt star Ahmed Hossam (aka 'Mido') commented on the draw, warning the team not to underestimate Ghana.
"Ghana is a strong side. The chances are 50/50. Egypt must go and fight to obtain a good result away from home. Good luck to Bradley," the former Tottenham striker tweeted on his account Monday.
"We need to be much more solid and organised if we want to beat a strong side like Ghana. They are full of pace upfront and well organised," Mido added.
Khaled Bibo
Former Egyptian striker Khaled Bibo says about the four-time African Champions: Playing against them [Ghana] "will be all about football and we will avoid further unnecessary elements," referring to violent clashes with the Desert Warriors (Algeria), who knocked the Egyptian team out four years ago in a tie breaker that led to months of tensions between the two countries.
Mohamed Nagy 'Gedo'
Hull City's new signing Mohamed Nagy 'Gedo' has posted his photo while celebrating a goal against Ghana in the 2010 African Cup of Nations, adding via his twitter account: "We will reach the World Cup."
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