Aguirre, Desabre sing Uganda, Egypt praises

CAIRO. Uganda and Egypt had a laid back pre-match media conference at Cairo International Stadium in Egypt on Saturday with both coaches and captains exuding calm ahead of the sides final Group A match due the following day.
Egypt come into this one top of the group with six points from two victories over Zimbabwe and DRC.
Uganda trail the Pharaohs by two points following victory over DRC and shared spoils with Zimbabwe, leaving them needing only to avoid defeat against Egypt on Sunday for them to confirm their last 16 slot.
However, there is also window for Uganda to lose on Sunday but still progress. But this is not in any of the two sides script, with Cranes and Egypt coaches Sebastien Desabre and Javier Aguirre piling praises on their respective teams while also affirming their resolve to win.
No strangers
“Playing Egypt is a big challenge for us,” said Desabre, “They are a big team. But it is not the first time we are playing Egypt. We will give our maximum. Uganda improves step and step.”
The two have most recently faced off three times, with Egypt winning twice and Uganda once. Desabre also knows a thing or two having coached Egyptian topflight side, Ismaily.
“I know Egypt are favourites tomorrow but it is possible to beat them. I am very confident of my players tomorrow,” reaffirmed the affable Frenchman, Desabre.

Desabre’s counterpart, Javier Aguirre, too had nice things to say about Uganda but the Mexican did not beat about the bush his intentions.
“We want to be the first place,” said Aguirre. Should Egypt finish top, they will face the third placed team in pools C, D, or E, and should Uganda finish runners up, Senegal or Kenya awaits them.
“Against Uganda we going to put the best players that we have,” added Aguirre, “We want to play well from beginning to the end.
“Uganda are playing very good. They have very good set pieces. They work a lot. They have scored three goals.
“Strong team, very organized of course. They work 90 minutes. They are fighters. We have to fight to pick the ball and be careful with their set-pieces.”

Aguirre ruled out making drastic changes from the team that has been starting, hinting at “maybe one or two changes.”
Desabre is also expected to name his best side but defender Murushid Jjuuko is still out after sitting out the DRC tie with a reported hamstring injury.
Captains speak out
He has, however, resumed training. “It’s just the game of tomorrow he is out,” said Desabre.
Cranes vice-captain Hassan Wasswa, who has provided leadership at the back, says as players they try to win every game they go into.
“We will play to win this game,” said the powerful and versatile player, “They are home. We will concentrate on own game plan and give our best. We will focus on ourselves. Anything is possible.”
Egypt captain Ahmed Elmohamady is impressed with his boys’ spirit but knows the kind of opponents they come up against. “We have played with Uganda before and we know they're not easy,” he said the Aston Villa player.

“But we are prepared and we shall play on the offense, which gives me and my colleagues a big opportunity to score goals. I will try to score more. The coach allows us to play.”
Elmohamady was on the scoresheet when Egypt beat DRC 2-0, with Mohamed Salah scoring the other.
Group A road ahead

July 5, Cairo International Stadium
Runner-up Group A vs Runner-up Group C
July 7 – Alexandria
Winner Group B vs 3rd Group A/C/D
July 7 – Cairo, 30 June Stadium
Algeria vs 3rd Group A/B/F

July 6 – Cairo (International)
Winner Group A vs 3rd Group C/D/E

Group A standings
Team P W D L GF GA Pts
Egypt (H) 2 2 0 0 3 0 6
Uganda 2 1 1 0 3 2 4
Zimbabwe 2 0 0 2 1 2 1
DR Congo 2 0 0 2 0 4 0

Group A results
Uganda 2-0 DRC
Egypt 1-0 Zimbabwe
Uganda 1-1 Zimbabwe
Egypt 2-0 DRC

Sunday, June 30
Egypt vs Uganda, 10pm
Zimbabwe vs DRC, 10pm
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