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Erico tips Egypt to win record eighth AFCON title in Gabon

By Samuel Ifetoye
05 February 2017   |   3:34 am
Former international, Joseph Erico, has tipped the Pharaohs of Egypt to win a record eighth Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) title, as they meet four-time champions, the Lions of Cameroon, in today’s epic final holding in Gabon.

The Pharaohs of Egypt celebrate victory

• Cameroon To Avenge 2008 Defeat

Former international, Joseph Erico, has tipped the Pharaohs of Egypt to win a record eighth Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) title, as they meet four-time champions, the Lions of Cameroon, in today’s epic final holding in Gabon.

Today’s match, which holds at the Stade de l’Amite, Libreville, Gabon, is a repeat of the 2008 final in Ghana, where the Cameroonians lost to the North African, the most successful nation in the history of AFCON.

The Egyptian beat hard-fighting Morocco 1-0 in one of the semis, while the Ghanaians suffered a shocking 2-0 defeat to the Cameroonians. Speaking with The Guardian yesterday, the former coach of the Super Eagles, said the Pharaohs would carry the day because of their tactical play unlike the highly inexperienced Cameroonians who still rely on physical strength.

“The match is going to be a tough and an interesting one, which I have no doubt in my mind in giving victory to the Pharaohs because they have done well in this tournament with their tactical display. The Cameroonians missing some of their stars are well known for their physical play and this may not work for them against the Egyptians,” Erico said.

Speaking on the threat Cameroun might pose to Super Eagles’ journey to 2018 Mundial in Russia with their current form, the former Nigeria’s international said the World Cup qualifiers are a different ball game entirely.

“We have to be very careful with our next match against the Cameroonians, which is in August. One thing is that we have to respect them as they too respect us. Already, they are afraid of us and we need to work harder to get results against them,” he stated.

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