I'm not worried, it's only the first match: Aguirre

CAIRO, 22 June 2019: Javier Aguirre, Egypt’s coach, admitted that the national team performance wasn’t good, especially in the second half, due to pressure, stress and attempts to maintain progress, adding that he was confident and wasn’t worry as it’s the first match.

Egypt defeated Zimbabwe 1-0 on Friday night at the opening game of 2019 Africa Cup of Nations.

Mahmoud Hassan known as Trezeguet scored Egypt's winning goal seven minutes before half time after a wonderful play with Ayman Ashraf.

"I'm not 100% percent satisfied with the performance, especially in the second half after our form dropped," Aguirre told the post-match press conference.

"We were exhausted but I'm not worried, it's only the first match.

"The only negative thing I saw was the gaps in our midfield. Zimbabwe's pace moves caused us some problems," the Mexican boss added.

"We still wasted some goal-scoring chances but we will work on correcting our mistakes."

Egyptian players, who gained their first three points at the competition, hope to achieve the eighth title at the competition.

Egypt plays in Group A alongside Zimbabwe, DR Congo and Uganda.


The Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda meet on Saturday at Cairo Stadium at the other game of the group.

Egypt is set to face the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) on Wednesday in the second round of the group's matches.

Group winners and runners-up qualify for the knockout second round along with the best four of the six third-place finishers.