Egypt coach says squad depth propelled his side to win at Botswana

Shawky Gharib believes Egypt benefited from the Premier League games after claiming their first African Cup of Nations qualifying win at the expense of minnows Botswana

Egypt had enough squad depth this time around which was key to their 2-0 win at Botswana in Friday's African Nations Cup qualifier, coach Shawky Gharib said.
The Pharaohs made up for a disastrous start to their Group G campaign that saw them lose to Senegal and Tunisia in their opening two games, with second-half goals from Mohamed Elneny and Mohamed Salah giving them a comfortable victory in Gaborone.
Gharib attributed Egypt's improved display to several factors, including the start of the new season which gave him the chance to select new players and drop others after watching the first few games of the Egyptian Premier League.
"The players' fitness levels notably improved because they are now playing regularly. We were unlucky to face Senegal and Tunisia when there was no domestic action and the players were not fully ready," Gharib told beIN Sports in a side-pitch interview.
"This time around, we had four players who were out because of injury but we weren't affected because there are others who can deputize," Gharib added, referring to an injured quartet including regular keeper Sherif Ekramy and influential duo Ahmed Elmohamady and Hazem Emam, who both play on the right flank.
Egypt bagged their first three points of their qualifying campaign as they seek to reach the biennial tournament for the first time since winning the last of their record seven titles in 2010 in Angola.
They are still three points behind leading duo Tunisia and Senegal, who meet in the other Group G game later on Friday.
Gharib refused to get carried away with Friday's win, admitting that Botswana posed little threat to the visitors.
"Botswana are not on the same level as Tunisia and Senegal," added Gharib, who was an assistant to head coach Hassan Shehata when Egypt won three Nations Cup titles on the trot in 2006, 2008 and 2010.
"I studied them well and I knew they always ease off in the second half. That was evident during their first two games against Senegal and Tunisia.
"At halftime, I told my players we will be able to take full advantage of that after the break."
Egypt host Botswana in Cairo on Wednesday to complete the double header.
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