Egypt national team goalkeeper Mohamed El-Shennawy says the Pharoahs gave the Super Eagles too much respect in Tuesday’s AFCON 2021 Group D opener, Kingfut reports.
The seven-time African champions got off to a poor start after losing 1-0 to the Eagles in what looked like a one-sided game.
The Eagles had a comfortable game, controlling the rhythm the way they preferred, the score gap could have increased if not for El-Shennawy’s courageous display.
Many put the blame on the national team head coach Carlos Queiroz who played multiple key players out of their position, including Mohamed Salah, Mostafa Mohamed and Trezeguet.
However, El-Shennawy believes the blame should be on everyone, stating that it’s a team game and all should be responsible.
“The result is disappointing, to the players, coaching staff, and to the fans,” El-Shennawy said.
Also Read: 2021 AFCON: Omeruo Trains Separately As Super Eagles Begin Preparation For Sudan Clash
“During the first half we couldn’t rise up to the occasion, but the second half saw some improvement as we wasted a few chances.
“We had a lot of respect for Nigeria, but that backfired on us, being too focused on defense was the reason we conceded the goal.
“We’ll focus on the future now, we only played one game of the tournament.
“Everyone is to blame, we made mistakes and it wasn’t our lucky day, but we promise you improvement in the future.”
The defeat marked Egypt’s first AFCON opener one since 2002 when they lost to Senegal 1-0 and their first group-stage defeat when they fell against Algeria in Tunisia.
25 Comments
blame this blame that next thing now is that they will soon sack there coach
Corrected; Even with a 3rd 11, Eguavoen tutored Eagles deserve respect. All the same you were cool in the match. That said, this is an opportunity for the Nigerian Football Federation to give our head coach more time(4years) to raise 1st, 2nd and 3rd 11 players for the S.E. by then, no country in the World could compete with our own Eagles. I don’t think we will meet Egypt in the competition till probably in the finals if they are still around. Good luck.
in instead of I’m. Please it is typo error.
You guys should be calming down small small, just one match and you’re already calling for contract extension, that was how Gernot Rohr started and we felt he’s the best thing to ever happen to our football until the law of diminishing return set in. Let’s see how he handles this team in this competition then we can make our judgements.
This Egyptian team and their coach lacks HUMILITY and RESPECT for opponents. I don’t see them going far in this tournament. In fact, they may not make it out of the group if care is not taken. Their coach was giving excuses on why they lost instead of admitting that lost to a better side. Now, this one is boasting again. Shior! Empty barrels usually make the loudest noise.
Check..
Just like Switzerland back in the last Euros,
* Uzoho
* Indidi
* Simon
* Iheanacho and
* Awoniyi
played under age tournament together..2015 U20 team.
Pls..finish off Sudan comes the next match ..let’s see others in Action.
Like
Uzoho
Ebuehi
Collins
Awaziem
Ndah
Onyeka
Iwobi
Ejuke
Onyekwuru
Sadiq.
Naija get team I beg.
i thought this guy who plays in prague was invited also… forgot his name
Olayinka, wasn’t in the match day squad.. including Awaziem and Akpeyi
Thank you for the update at Sean…I didnt see the live match, but, saw a replayed…and on the reserve bench I noticed some players were not included.. because I asked about a particular player dosent mean one is trying to suggest player abeg make u na dey calm down biko. …meanwhile I can say we are ready to play any team for the final world cup qualifier..
So u want to change a winning team without any form of injury ? At the third match after winning the second match would hv been better
Eguavoen should retain that starting eleven. Except Ejuke that has to replace Chukwueze pending the time Chukwueze would be fully fit.
God bless Nigeria.
It would be stupid and idiotic to start suggesting players to start and players to be replaced to the coach, let the man do the job he was assigned to do people!!.
This is really sickening, we always condemn the NFF for imposing players on
the coaches however we won’t let the same coaches make their own decisions. He is there training with them but you think you have a better understanding of how the team should be composed?
Please
Get my message clearly, if we defeat Sudan then we’ve qualified for the round of 16 with a game to spare and who says that list can’t beat Guinea Bissau?
@Sean, the accepted wisdom is not to change a winning team. Especially in a 3 match group contest, the most widely used approach is to try and qualify by the end of the 2nd match, and then make changes in the last match in order to rest some players to recover for the knockout.
There is no need changing the winning team. Don’t you remember what happened to us last time against Madagascar.
You are still not getting his point. He is trying to tell you that by the time we win our second match, next round is secured then we give other players chance to showcase themselves. We didn’t bring 28 players to Cameroon for showpiece na
Playing a second eleven in the third match group stage especially when the team has qualified is not a disadvantage, rather it is ensuring that your first eleven is rested and protected from getting any unnecessary injury. At the same time, it gives other players in the team the opportunity to get game time and stay match fit. Or maybe some people would prefer it if after we have qualified for the knock out stage we still risk players like ndidi, iheanacho, aribo etc in the third match for no good reason other than we want to watch them dazzle.
The competition is a long one and every player counts. Thats why I was happy when coach eguavoen made all his 5 changes. He has to manage his players so that they dont get injured or overworked AS He will need them to remain fit and strong through out the competition, especially his first eleven.
The way the keeper suffered yesterday he should have gotten man of the match. Egypt was lucky, the goals could have easily been 4 or 5.
And they reciprocated the respect because of the gentlemen they are by keeping the scoreline to one.
It would be stupid and idiotic to start suggesting players to start and players to be replaced to the coach, let the man do the job he was assigned to do people!!.
This is really sickening, we always condemn the NFF for imposing players on
the coaches however we won’t let the same coaches make their own decisions. He is there training with them but you think you have a better understanding of how the team should be composed?
Please stop the unnecessary distraction.
Una do well thanks in millions
How will rohr be feeling now watching this match? By now he will be justified for his sack. Because under him with eagles can’t fly and competite with fowl. At least the difference was clear for the world to see, and i believe the new coach is rest assured of the team. And he shoukd also watch his back we are moving forward not backward. Up naija.
Keep flying let hunt cameroon as they did to us back then.
On arrival Egypt announced they would win the AFCON.How’s the goalkeeper now talking about having too much respect for Nigeria?
It wasn’t that you gave them too much respect but they earned it. You were not going to give it cheaply but they forcefully took what belong to them. They were better in all departments, ready and fit for the task. The score line is not a reflection of the entire duration, I guess that’s why you still have the gut to talk about respect.
I see Nigeria and Ivory Coast in final this Afcon. Many will be surprised that the likes of Algeria and Senegal will not live up to expectation
I really hope we stay focus God forbid a bad game hope fans won’t start to criticize the coach it must not happen.