KAMPALA, Aug. 30 (Xinhua) -- Egyptian national football head coach Hector Cuper said on Wednesday that they are sure of a win away to Uganda in the 2018 World Cup qualifier.
The Pharoahs' boss told Xinhua in an interview that he is confident his team has what it takes to beat Uganda when they meet on Wednesday morning.
"The two games against Uganda are the major tasks for us now to make our passage to the World Cup easier," reasoned the Argentina-born coach.
The Egyptian team, boosted by star player Muhamed Salah who features for English Premier League side Liverpool, arrived on Tuesday night from Cairo.
Besides instrumental player Salah who netted one of the goals in Liverpool's 4-0 demolition of Arsenal in an English Premiership match on Sunday, the Egyptian team will also look to Africa's most decorated goalkeeper Essam El-Hadary who is aged 44.
Cuper said recent changes on Uganda's technical bench could also mean that a lot could change on the team approach.
Moses Basena took over as interim coach of Uganda's national football team after Serbian Milutin Sredojevic terminated his contract early this month. Basena is assisted by local coach Mathias Lule and former skipper and the United States-based coach Ibrahim Sekagya.
Uganda Cranes goalkeeper and skipper Denis Onyango said they are also prepared to prove a point against Egypt.
"To play at the highest level you must play against difficult teams like Egypt. We need to work hard as a team," added the South Africa-based player.
The two teams will meet again next week on Sept. 5 in the return leg in Alexandria in Egypt.
While Uganda has never qualified for the World Cup, Egypt last made it in 1990, and hoping to end their 28-year wait with an appearance in Russia next year.
Egypt squad
Goalkeepers: Essam El-Hadary (Al-Taawoun, South Africa), Sherif Ekramy (Ahly), Ahmed El-Shennawy (Zamalek)
Defenders: Ahmed Fathi, Saad Samir, Ahmed Hegazi (West Brom, England), Ahmed Elmohamady (Aston Villa, England), Mohamed Abdel-Shafy (Ahli, South Africa), Karim Hafez (RC Lens, France), Omar Gaber (FC Basel)
Midfielders: Mohamed ElNeny (Arsenal, England), Ramadan Sobhi (Stoke City, England), Sam Morsy (Wigan Athletic, England), Mahmoud Trezeguet (Kasimpasa, Turkey), Abdallah El-Said, Hossam Ashour, Saleh Gomaa (Ahly), Tarek Hamed (Zamalek), Mohamed Fathi (Ismaily)
Forwards: Mohamed Salah (Liverpool, England), Mahmoud Kahraba (Ittihad, South Africa), Amr Gamal (Bidvest Wits, South Africa), Ahmed Hassan Kouka (Sporting Braga, Portugal), Hossam Hassan (Smouha)
