There is palpable fear in Egypt following the scary admission by the chief coach of the Pharaohs, Hector Cuper through one of his 11 technical assistants,  coach Osama Nabih that: “The first difficulty is that Nigeria is a big name in the African continent, despite failing to reach the last edition of the Africa Cup.”

Nabih informed the Egyptians further in a radio programme aired in the country on Sunday that: “There are three difficulties that worry Cuper ahead of the two games. Cuper believes that Nigeria have more choices in their squad ahead of the two sides’ games in the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers, but he is ready to secure a place in the tournament’s finals.”

“Nigeria is coached by Samson Siasia, who reached the Olympic Games by placing first with the U-23 team,” he added.

“Moreover, Nigeria have 22-foreign based players alongside well prepared ones in the domestic  league. So Siasia possesses all the tools that lead to success,” the Pharaohs assistant coach said.

Egypt is leading Group G with six points, two ahead of second-placed Nigeria. Only the group winners are guaranteed automatic qualification for the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations.

The winners of three successive Africa Cup of Nations, in 2006, 2008 and 2010, Egypt will face Nigeria on March 25 in the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers before playing the follow-up match four days later in Borg El-Arab Stadium in Alexandria.