Egypt's coach Hector Cuper has hailed his players after Tuesday's precious victory over Nigeria, saying that he would prefer to focus on celebrating rather than speaking about the team's next match against Tanzania.

Egypt defeated Nigeria 1-0 at home to move to the brink of qualifying for the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations for the first time since 2010.

"We delivered an outstanding performance in the first half, but in the second we weren't at our top level. Anyway, we got the three points since remaining on top of our group was the priority," the Argentinean coach said after the match.

"I am happy with my players' fighting spirit. They did their best since they love their national team a lot."

"All players are the same to me and my selections are based on the priorities of every match. The absence of any player today doesn't mean that he won't be with us again," Cuper explained.

"I am proud to be Egypt's coach and I am really happy with the big fan support for the team since I took charge," the former Inter Milan coach added, referring to the presence of around 75,000 supporters at Borg El Arab stadium.

The win cemented Egypt's position on top of Group G with seven points, five clear of second-placed Nigeria who have now lost any chance of reaching Africa's most prestigious tournament in Gabon next year.

With one game left against Tanzania, after Chad decided to withdraw from the group two days ago, Egypt could formally secure qualification even with a minor loss to the east African team.

Tanzania's slim hopes in gaining the upper hand in the head-to-head record with the Pharaohs lie in 1) beating Egypt by more than a three-goal margin -- given that they suffered an opening 3-0 defeat by the Pharaohs in June last year -- and 2) overcoming Nigeria in their final game.

"Let me celebrate the victory and then we will talk about the Tanzania clash," Cuper said when he was asked about the coming match in the qualifiers.

"The door of the national team will be open for new faces in the coming period," he concluded.

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