Egypt coach Hassan Shehata imposed a media silence in a bid to fully concentrate on the team's clash at Niger in the 2012 African Cup of Nations qualifiers next month. The 61-year-old was criticized by local media after Egypt were held to a stunning 1-1 home draw by minnows Sierra Leone in their opening Group G game of the Nations Cup qualifiers. South Africa top the group with three points after claiming an easy 2-0 home victory over Niger. The Egyptian FA said on Sunday that Shehata, who is aware that any slip up against Niger will not be accepted, would not give any interviews until after the end of the game. The former Arab Contractors tactician incurred the wrath of the media when he opted to remain silent before the Sierra Leone clash, paving the way for assistant coach Shawki Gharib to speak on his behalf. "Given the importance of that game, Shehata decided not to speak to the media during the pre-match training camp which begins on October third," the EFA said in a statement on its official website. "The technical staff and the players want to be given the chance to focus on that game. "All people can follow the national team's news on the EFA's official website." Egypt, who won the Nations Cup a record seven times and clinched the title in the past three editions, face Niger away from home on October 10th. "We have been following Niger lately. We watched some games for them," Shehata, who led the Pharaohs to three consecutive Nations Cup triumphs, said. The 2012 Nations Cup will be held in Equatorial Guinea and Gabon.
