Egypt's failed AFCON campaign has a bright side
Despite failing to reach the Africa Cup of Nations final, Egypt boss Hossam Hassan believes the experience has been positive for his team ahead of this year's FIFA World Cup.
Egypt lost in Thursday's (AEDT) semi-final to Senegal in Tangier but will play Nigeria for the bronze medal at the tournament in Morocco on Sunday (AEDT).
"It has been very good preparation for us, we've tried several systems of play throughout the tournament and played against different types of opponents," Hassan said.
"We came close to the final but that's football," he said of the 1-0 loss to Senegal.
"Overall, I'm satisfied with all that happened and what we achieved. We have a good team. We were away from home and did not have a lot of supporters."
The match against Nigeria would be another opportunity to prepare for the FIFA World Cup, he added.
Egypt plays in Group G with Belgium first up in Seattle on 16 June (AEDT), New Zealand in Vancouver on 22 June (AEDT) and Iran on 27 June (AEDT) back in Seattle.
Hassan said Egypt might have fallen short because of a lack of players at top clubs in Europe, in contrast to the two finalists Morocco and Senegal, whose squads are filled with players from top European teams.
"Players based in Europe gain better tactical acumen and become physically much stronger, and we need that added value to make us better," he said.
Egypt's 28-man squad had only three players based in Europe – captain Mohamed Salah from Liverpool, Omar Marmoush from Manchester City and Mostafa Mohamed from Nantes in Ligue 1.
"I think tomorrow's game gives us a chance to continue preparations, but we always want to win. Egypt always plays to win, we are a team who have won seven Cup of Nations in the past," Hassan said.
"We will evaluate after the competition where we need to improve. We will study the positive points in order to be much better in both defence and attack," he added.
Nigeria, meanwhile, suffered semi-final heartbreak, with Yassine Bounou's penalty heroics clinching a 4-2 shootout win for Morocco after a 0-0 draw in normal time.
It was eliminated at the semi-finals of AFCON for the eighth time, at least three more than any other nation.
The Super Eagles have been knocked out in six of their past eight appearances at this stage, after overcoming this hurdle in six of their first eight.
But Nigeria boss Eric Chelle believes his team was unlucky not to reach the final, having impressed throughout the competition.
"It's difficult to play these big games because you're in Morocco, you play against a team, but you play against the crowd, and you are under more pressure," Chelle conceded.
"We missed some movements in that game tactically. So, the reality, I'm proud of my players.
"It's very hard for me and the players because the reality is we go out of this AFCON without any defeat in the 90 minutes," he added.
