Senegal head coach Aliou Cisse remains upbeat that his side has what it takes to overturn the deficit and has called on fans to turn up in large numbers and boost the team’s morale to vie for a place in Qatar.
African Champions Senegal will hope to maximize their home advantage and overturn a 1-0 deficit when they take on Egypt in the return leg of their World Cup qualification match at the newly constructed Diamniadio Olympic Stadium in the outskirts of Dakar on Tuesday night.
The Egyptians picked a slender 1-0 win in Cairo last week, an own goal from Papiss Ciss being the difference in the fourth minute of the match.
And heading into the third meeting between the two sides in less than two months, each will want to give their best and earn a ticket to Qatar in November.
Senegal head coach Aliou Cisse remains upbeat that his side has what it takes to overturn the deficit and has called on fans to turn up in large numbers and boost the team’s morale to vie for a place in Qatar.
“We must keep all our serenity and calm for the return match. The 1-0 defeat did not reflect the state of play and this must allow us to be confident for the qualification to the World Cup. We have to stay calm and work to improve our efficiency, that's what was missing in the first leg,” the tactician stated.
Senegal largely dominated Egypt in Cairo, but were only unlucky not to score.
Meanwhile, Egypt will be looking to defend their slim advantage, with coach Carlos Queiroz confident his charges, led by the mercurial Mo Salah will deliver them to the promised land.
“We deservedly won the first leg against the best team in Africa and now we are going to Senegal to fight for every metre, every loose ball. Every Egyptian must double his efforts,” said the Portuguese tactician, former head coach of Real Madrid.
The Egyptians will be without defender Mohamed Abdelmonem who was stretchered off in the first leg with injury and will require surgery.