Head coach of Egypt national team, Hector Cuper, has insisted that his team is not afraid of any opposition, as they seek to qualify for the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations, as well as the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia.

The Pharoahs, who have won a record seven AFCON title, have been absent in the last two editions and also failed to make an appearance at the World Cup since 1990.

Egypt currently lead Group G and will take on the Super Eagles of Nigeria in a double header next month.

“There is no such thing as easy opponents as journalists call them,” Cuper told FIFA.com.

“We must respect any team regardless of the ranking and history, because Egypt itself has suffered in the past qualifiers because it dropped points in what you call easy games.

“I would be lying if I said that I don’t wish to avoid certain teams in the World Cup draw, but my job is to get Egypt prepared for any opponent.

“My job is to make the likes of Côte d’Ivoire, for instance, be worried that they will face us.

“I repeatedly tell my players that we can make people happy. Many people are suffering from the problems of everyday life.

“Some are poor, some are unemployed. For those people, football might be their ultimate source of joy.”