CAIRO - Many Egyptian families have been flocking to the shops to buy new clothes for thier children, and for themselves too, in anticipation of Eid al-Adha (the Muslim feast of sacrifice), which EGYPT are gearing up for their friendly against Australia in Cairo on Wednesday, as the Pharaohs prepare for the African Cup of Nations (ACN) qualifier against South Africa next March. Egypt's coach Hassan Shehata is racing against time to make progress in the qualifiers, having been criticised for team's losing 1-0 away to Niger last month. Sports critics called on Shehata to resign because the Pharaohs have been playing badly recently, but the beleaguered coach has promised to do better by introducing new blood into the team. Shehata's side drew with minnows Sierra Leone 1-1 in Cairo and are now at the bottom of Group G with a single point. Australia's skipper Lucas Neill, meanwhile, has dished out praise for Egypt ahead of the friendly, which he expects to be 'tough'. The Pharaohs have repeatedly been hailed as the strongest African team, having won the ACN an unprecedented three times on the trot in 2006, 2008 and 2010. "Egypt have come on in leaps and bounds as both a team and a footballing nation over the past decade," Neill said. "It's going to be a tough game. They are the reigning African champions and, from what I have seen of Egypt, they are physical and very well organised, they play with a lot of passion and are technically very good. "It's why their players are being snapped up by the bigger leagues in Europe. They're not intimidated by anyone and we expect a tough game from them. "They're similar to Australia in that they're one of the strongest teams in their region and have always tried to prove themselves. People see them as a real threat.Monday.
