Egyptian FA president Hany Abo Rida said the Pharaohs will start their preparations for the 2018 World Cup starting from their upcoming game against Ghana in the final round of the the qualifiers. "Our qualification for the World Cup took us to new heights. We will need to make more efforts to make Egypt proud and we will immediately start our preparations. Our game against Ghana will be the first step in our campaign towards the World Cup," Abo Rida told the EFA website after the game. Egypt beat Congo 2-1 on Saturday in a dramatic clash in Alexandria, thanks to a double from Mohamed Salah, to secure their first World Cup berth in 28 years and will face Ghana in the final day of the qualifiers on 6 November. The Pharaohs are now 12 points, gaining an unassailable four-point lead over second-placed Uganda with one match to spare. "We fully deserved our qualification and moved to the top of the group from the first day. I could see the determination and persistence in the players' eyes," Abo Rida added. "I also want to thank coach Hector Cuper, whom I supported and had full confidence in. He fully achieved his targets and accepted all the criticism directed towards him; understanding that such criticism is coming from people who care about their national team." The Argentinean tactician was appointed in April 2015 and led Egypt to the final of the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations for the first time since 2010 before making a long-held World Cup dream come true. (For more sports news and updates, follow Ahram Online Sports on Twitter at @AO_Sports and on Facebook at AhramOnlineSports.)
