Egypt national team manager Hossam El-Badry defended his choice of facing Botswana as his first opponent, saying that they aren’t weak.
In his first game in charge of the Egyptian national team, El-Badry managed to snatch a 1-0 win against Botswana.
Following the game, many fans and experts criticised Egypt’s choice of facing a historically weak side in Botswana, especially as it was El-Badry’s first challenge.
These claims bothered former Al Ahly manager Hossam El-Badry who justified this choice by saying that Botswana is not a weak side and asked for fans to be more patient.
“We already faced Botswana on five or six occasions and the result was always either a draw or a win by one or two goals. This proves that they’re not weak but average,” El-Badry told Al Kahera wal Nas TV channel.
“We have to take it step by step especially that this training camp involved different ideas, goals, new players and a new coaching staff.
“Additionally, the whole team gathered just five days prior to the Botswana game,” he added.
Before this game, Egypt had faced Botswana on five occasions throughout their history, winning three times while drawing the remaining two.
The first two games were during the 2008 AFCON qualifiers, with the first one ending in 0-0 draw before the Pharaohs managed to beat them 1-0 in the second leg. Then in 2013 they were held to a 1-1 draw, before they beat them twice the following year with the same scoreline, 2-0.
“I think it was a useful experience, we missed a lot of opportunities and the goal we scored proved how well organised the team was on the pitch.
“The coaching staff and players need as much support as they can get in order to meet the fans’ hopes and dreams. We have to be rational and become a beacon for the fans,” he concluded.
Egypt are now set to have their first official encounter under the 59-year-old, when they host Kenya on November 15 in the 2021 AFCON qualifiers.
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The training camp for this game starts on October 28 due to the interruption of domestic football as the U-23 AFCON will take place in Egypt from November 8 to November 22. However foreign-based players won’t be available before November 11.
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