“I am not a magician” – Hector Cuper

by Staff Reporter

Tuesday Nov 08, 2016. 11:47

Egypt coach Hector Cuper says he is “not a magician” but trusts his players to do the job when they host Ghana this weekend in the World Cup qualifiers.

On November 13 the Pharaohs will take on the Black Stars in Alexandria for their second Group E clash, looking build on the lead they established by defeating Congo away from home last month.

Mostafa Fathi has been ruled out of the clash due to injury, while there are also concerns over Koka and Ramadan Sobhi, who picked up knocks in club action over the past weekend.

The match also sees Egypt looking to claim revenge for their defeat to Ghana in the final round of qualifying for the previous World Cup. The Black Stars famously recorded a 6-1 win in the first leg in Accra back in 2013.

“I am not a magician. There is no one way to win. I trust my players who are determined to clinch the three points,” Cuper said at a press conference.

“I can’t drop the players who played the 6-1 game because of that. I trust my squad and we are confident in our abilities to win.

“Ghana is a big team but the 6-1 result [against them in 2013] was exceptional and rarely happens in football.

“Injuries make me sad but I trust the substitutes. I believe in the team as a whole, not individuals.

“I am upset about Mostafa Fathi’s injury and we will check on Koka when he arrives but Ramadan Sobhi is fit for the game,” he added.