Egypt’s Coach Javier Aguirre aware of Uganda scare ahead of top of group decider

Mexican born Egypt head coach Javier Aguirre has admitted that Egypt could be headed for a crazy final game in the group stages of the AFCON 2019 finals when his side faces the Uganda Cranes on Sunday 30/06/2019 at the Cairo international stadium, in a game that will determine which of the two sides will finish top of group A.

During the official pre match press conference, ‘The Basque’, as he was nicknamed noted that Uganda is a dangerous team that should not be taken lightly.

“It’s going to be a tough game. Uganda is very dangerous and strong team. They are very good at set pieces and passing the ball, which makes them a very dangerous team to beat," he said.

"Our philosophy is to play and attack. However, with Uganda’s style of play it is going to be impossible to attack all the time. We are going to face a top team. We will keep our philosophy of attacking but I will not lie it will not be easy, but we shall have to adapt according to the situation ,"the former Atletico Madrid boss added.

Egypt has won their last two group games against Zimbabwe and DR Congo which makes them favorites in group A topping the log with 6 points and have already sealed their slot in the round of 16, but as hosts, they need to win as many games as they can.

Uganda on the other side is riding on a rare cloud. With a win against D.R. Congo and a point from the Zimbabwe Warriors, this already is the country’s best performance since the 1978 finals in Ghana where they were runners up.

Cranes’ tactician Sebastien Desabre admitted that Uganda is still a work in progress and might not generally compare to Egypt in football, but for Sunday’s game, they have the quality to salvage something from the record African champions.

“It is going to be another tough game. However, we will put up a good display just like we did when we were playing DR Congo. Am very confident about my players, they have greatly improved over the years and I know they will go all out to play against a good team and make a statement and impress because they have been very well motivated, “

said Desabre.

Uganda’s assistant captain Hassan Wasswa, said the heat in Cairo will not be a deterrent to them.

“As a team you always know the conditions under which you are going to play and we were aware that it would be hot in Egypt before we came. Therefore, the heat will not stop us from giving our best.” Said the dreadlocked defender.

Reading from Friday is training session, the coach could make a few changes to the team, and hand first starts to right back Nicholas Wadada who hasn’t kicked a ball at this year’s finals and defender Timothy Awany who could start in the center of the backline with assistant captain Hassan Wasswa.

Uganda is likely to again miss the services of the baptized minister of defense Murishid Juukp because of a hamstring injury but with the player back in training, the coach hinted that he might be available for the knockout stage.

Victory against the Pharaoh’s will clinch Uganda’s place in the second round of the competition as Group A winners. But a stalemate would also suffice with Egypt advancing as winners and Cranes making the knockout stage as runners up. A third-place finish would also see Desabre’s side through provided Uganda are one of the four teams with the best points or goal difference in that number three position in Group A.