The highly anticipated semifinal game of the TotalEnergies CAF U23 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2023 is scheduled to take place on Tuesday and will feature defending champion Egypt taking on Guinea.
Egyptian head coach Mario Rogerio Reis Micale acknowledged the strain his team is facing but was confident in their capacity to flourish in such conditions despite the great expectations.
“We shall turn this pressure into success,” declared Micale during a pre-match press conference held at the Ibn Batouta Stadium in Tangier.
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After starting their Group B campaign with a scoreless draw against Niger and a tenacious 1-0 victory over Mali, Egypt advanced to the semifinals. Micale’s team defeated Gabon convincingly 2-0 to win the group stage.
Micale emphasised Guinea’s illustrious reputation and predicted a difficult clash, understanding the power of their future opponents.
Nevertheless, he praised the work his squad had put in to get to this point and emphasised that their goal was to qualify for the Olympics and defend their championship.
Micale also evoked the unwavering spirit of the Egyptian people, highlighting the significance of backing from both the Moroccan crowd and supporters throughout Egypt.
“While we have thoroughly analyzed the Guinea team, we also rely on the backing of Moroccans and Egyptians,” explained Micale, underscoring the collective spirit needed to face the challenges ahead.
Micale acknowledged the inherent expectation on his players to perform as a result of Egypt’s lengthy football history. He added, “When our players get onto the field, they have the duty of making sure Egypt wins.
Micale emphasised the significance of the four players who were named among the top 11 after the group stage while also expressing trust in the readiness of every player chosen for the job.
Goalkeeper Hamza Hussein, Hossam Abdelsalam, Osama Abdelhady, and captain Ibrahim Mohamed Adel are among these great people.
Inspirational captain Ibrahim Mohamed Adel lamented the team’s sluggish start to the competition, which led to a scoreless tie with Niger.
He nonetheless expressed his thanks for the team’s advancement to the semifinals and emphasised their resolve to perform their best game against Guinea.
Adel was also inspired by the inclusion of four Egyptian players in the elite best 11, which highlighted their dedication to earning Olympic qualification and defending their treasured crown.
Coach Micale and his players are unwavering in their pursuit of excellence as Egypt prepares for the pivotal semifinal match, hoping to flourish under pressure and bring honour to their nation.