Grateful Egypt admits relief after edging fearsome Amajita

 Nabih, speaking to SABC Sport from the mixed zone after their smash and grab one-nil win over Amajita in an opening game of the U20 AFCON game at the Cairo International Stadium, stopped short of saying this was one game they were targeting in the group.

“I’m super happy with the team and with a great start. I’ve spent two or three months analysing the South African team and I’m sure that this team will make a lot of changes in the group. I’m super happy with this start,” Nabih said.

The hosts were on the back foot for larger parts of this game until they pounced in the 62^nd minute, through substitute Mohamed Abdallah’s counter-attacking goal.

Nabih says this is the kind of start that gives them confidence in their objectives to qualify for the World Cup.

“My main goal is to qualify for the World Cup, yes, I’m playing in my playground, yes I’m playing with my [home] fans but my main goal is to go to the World Cup, which is the same as every nation in the competition,” he added.

READ: Missed opportunities haunt Raymond Mdaka as Egypt claims the win

Nabih has a lot of respect for Amajita, and says they’ve secured the maximum points against probably the toughest team in the competition.

“The South African team is very well organised, a very good team with very good members and the players in the pitch. I have a lot of respect for them.

“I analysed this team for a very long time and I’m very sure that this team can go very far in this tournament and that’s why I’m very happy with the three points today because this is three points against a very hard team.”