Long may this fine run continue – Egypt’s Bradley - Orange CAN 2013 2013

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Long may this fine run continue – Egypt’s Bradley

06-13-2012

Long may this fine run continue – Egypt’s Bradley

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After a flying start to the African qualifications for the 2014 FIFA World Cup, Egypt will now shift attention towards 2013 Orange African Cup of Nations qualifiers. The Pharaohs who are seven times record African champions failed to qualify for the 2012 AFCON edition held in Gabon and Equatorial Guinea. They will start their campaign to reach South Africa 2013 AFCON finals this Friday when they entertain Central African Republic in Alexandria. Egypt's manager Bob Bradley told Cafonline.com that he hopes for a convincing win before the return leg in Bangui.

Cafonline.com: How do you see the match against Central African Republic this Friday?

Bob Bradley: It's not going to be easy. African football has developed enormously in the past few years and there's no big or small names anymore. We need a convincing win to feel safe before the return leg in a fortnight.

Cafonline.com: Egypt had back to back wins in the 2014 FIFA World Cup qualifiers,how much of a boost is this going to be for Friday’s match?

Bob Bradley: This is a totally different story. Surely those victories will benefit us psychologically, as our players confidence is sky high now. They are committed to do their best to qualify firstly to the Cup of Nations and then the World Cup. We have put the World Cup qualifications aside now and we're focused on the coming games against Central African Republic.

Cafonline.com: You seem not affected by the lack football activities in Egypt. Why is that?

Bob Bradley: The credit goes to the players. They did their best to achieve these results. We know well that Egyptian people are waiting and watching our games to have give them something to cheer about, and we do everything we can to achieve that. We made use of the suspension of local football activities and held many training camps and that worked in increasing the harmony among the players. I hope this winning run we are on continues.

Cafonline.com: How do you see your opponents Central African Republic?

Bob Bradley: I know they are a good team and had a good campaign in the last edition of qualifiers where they had some good results against the likes of Morocco and Algeria. As I said before African football has developed a lot and there are no minnows on the continent anymore. I followed some games for Central African Republic and they're a respectable team.

Cafonline.com: Egypt missed the last edition of the African Cup of Nations. Does that make you more determined for qualification this time?

Bob Bradley: Definitely. Egypt is the record African Champion (7 times) and it won't be appropriate to miss the continental masterpiece yet again.

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