Qatar could not miss the chance to face African champions Egypt in a friendly game, coach Bruno Metsu said ahead of both sides' meeting on Thursday. The Frenchman said he was relishing the prospect of meeting the Pharaohs in a match that is not included in the international dates on FIFA's calendar. "We usually play against unfancied teams before big tournaments but we now have a chance to play against the reigning African champions," Metsu said as Qatar prepare for next month's AFC Asian Cup on home soil. "We couldn't miss the chance to face the team who won the past three Nations Cups. We will be looking to benefit from that game," he told the Qatar Football Association official website on Wednesday. Egypt were initially scheduled to face Jordan but the match was called off for undisclosed reasons and Qatar were drawn up as a replacement. The Gulf country is in a jubilant frame of mind after it was awarded the rights to host the 2022 World Cup after emerging winners from a tough competition involving the United States, Australia, South Korea and Japan. Metsu faced Egypt four times while in charge of Senegal, whom he guided to a memorable place among the last eight in the 2002 World Cup. Egypt won twice, Senegal won once and they drew once in four Nations Cup and World Cup qualifying meetings. "The Egyptian team have plenty of experience in African and international football so my players will greatly benefit from playing against them," Metsu added.
