As a coach who’s based in Africa, how would it feel to coach the Liverpool star Mohamed Salah? Can you imagine mentoring Arsenal’s maven midfielder Mohamed Elneny?
Managing the world’s well-knowns would give one some goosebumps but Roger De Sa seems comfortable now and is looking forward to the Africa Cup of Nations.
The South African coach was appointed as the Egyptian national team assistant coach by the Pharaohs head coach Carlos Queiroz four months ago.
De Sa says it has been an immense experience.
“It has been my fourth month here already and we’re well into it,” said De Sa
“It’s been a fantastic experience and we’ve been well received and respected by all the players, colleagues, and the Egyptian nation.
Queiroz looks to have a massive admiration for De Sa as he also appointed him in 2010 as one of his assistants during the FIFA World Cup in South Africa.
“In 2010 I was also the only South African to feature in the second round of the World Cup while working for the Portugal national team.
“Now also at Afcon 2022, but I don’t really want to get too much into that. I will just get on with my job which is another page or chapter of my life in sport.
“It’s a tournament with unique challenges of which most aren’t football-related so let’s see what happens.”
Egypt is grouped alongside Nigeria, Sudan, and Guinea Bissau.
The Pharaohs will play their first match of the tournament against Nigeria on Tuesday with Kick-Off at 18:00.