Nigeria’s manager Samson Siasia congratulated his team’s opponents Egypt after their Tuesday 1-0 defeat away in the 2017 African Cup of Nation qualifiers.

Nigeria’s national football team head coach Samson Siasia 

“Egypt deserved to win in the Alexandria game. I congratulate them for the victory and I thank my players for their performance,” the 48-year-old tactician told reporters after the game.

Egypt moved within touching distance of a place at next year’s tournament for the first time since 2010 after Ramadan Sobhi scored in the second half at Alexandria’s Borg El-Arab Stadium amid a large fan attendance.

“The fans attendance didn’t influence our performance negatively but in fact it helped the opponents’ morale and supported them powerfully,” the former Durgapur FC coach added.

The win cemented Egypt’s position on top of Group G with seven points, five clear of second-placed Nigeria who have now lost hope of reaching Africa’s most prestigious tournament in Gabon next year.

“I have been appointed in the Nigerian job in very hard circumstances. The Egypt game was like a challenge for me and I thank my team for what they did,” Siasia, who took over the Super Eagles earlier this month, added.

With one game left against Tanzania, after Chad decided to withdraw from the group two days ago, Egypt could formally secure qualification even with a minor loss to the east African team.

Tanzania’s slim hopes in gaining the upper hand in the head-to-head record with the Pharaohs lie in beating Egypt by more than a three-goal margin, given that they suffered an opening 3-0 defeat by the Pharaohs in June last year and overcoming Nigeria in their final game.