Zidan ready for ‘Algeria war’

(GSM) – Egypt star Mohamed Zidan looks forward to Thursday’s Africa Cup of Nations clash with Algeria and says to be ready for “war”.

“It will be a matter of life and death in that game,” according to the Borussia Dortmund striker.

“For both sides it will be like a war. For us it is a change to show the world that we deserve to go to the World Cup and if we beat them, we will be able to watch the World Cup with pride.”

Egypt and Algeria also faced in a World Cup qualification play-off in November, with Algeria winning that vital match 1-0. Days earlier, Egypt had defeated their rivals 2-0 to force a play-off.

Those two games were surrounded by off-pitch violence, with both country’s blaming each other for the incidents that occurred.

Zidan went on to say that all pressure is on Algeria for Thursday’s semi final: “We are the ones who do not have any pressure. We are the champions and we are better than them. Everybody will see which is the better team.”