Referee for Algeria-Rwanda match is very weak, says Egypt assistant coach

Egypt assistant coach Hamada Sedki said the qualifying match between Algeria and Egypt will be different from the previous games. “It will be a decisive match for both teams,” he told Echorouk in an interview.

• Your match against Zambia and Algeria’s victory over Rwanda has triggered a conflict between the two teams once again.
• Football conflict between Algeria and Egypt is bound to continue until the last qualifications round of the World Cup.
• Your victory over Zambia surprised some people?
• Surprised? I don’t think so. We did a good match and we got the three points which have made us closer to qualify to the World Cup.
• Your different way of playing between the two halves is behind of those doubts.
• We won because we deserved it. In the first half, we did not present the required performance according to our plan. We scored a goal in the second half.
• Though you won the match, Algeria stays top of Group C.
• But the qualifications did not end. The sixth match will be the decisive one for Algeria and Egypt.
• Was Algeria’s victory a pressure on you?
• We were expecting that Algeria wins the match against Rwanda but the Algerian players were not equal to their job. I thing Rwanda’s enthusiasm was behind that as they were hoping to qualify to the African Cup.
• What do you think about the referee in the match between Algeria and Rwanda?
• The Guinean referee was physically and technically week. He committed many errors.
• Algeria is asking for a European referee for the match against Egypt.
• It is up to the FIFA to decide that. We can not reject its decision but I think there are competent African referees for such matches.
• As Egypt assistant coach, what do you think of the match against Algeria?
• It will be difficult for both teams but we will make efforts to win the match and qualify to the World Cup.
• You will have to win by three goals to qualify to the World Cup.
• It is a difficult mission but not impossible. We expect a strong support from our fans. That would encourage us to qualify to the World Cup if it is God’s will.
• You are expected to hold a meeting to study the match against Algeria.
• The meeting is due to be held on Tuesday and many points will be discussed.
• Will the Egyptian team have a long training for the match?
• We will suggest a 15-day-training starting from October 29 with a friendly match but the opponent has not been determined yet.
• Will Mohamed Zaidane play in the match?
• I can not confirm that. We will study all the points in the meeting.