El-Kouki says confidence is key as psychological issues affect Egyptian players

Nabil El-Kouki says a loss of confidence among his Egyptian players has contributed to their poor start to the season, with psychological factors also affecting the team’s performances.

El-Kouki returned as Egyptian head coach, replacing Ahmed Sami less than a year after leaving the Port Said club.

Speaking to On Sport, El-Kouki said: “I had a special period with Egyptian, which helped me build an excellent relationship with the supporters. Thankfully, I have returned again.”

Egyptian reached the semi-finals of the Egypt Capital Cup with El-Kouki last season, although their league results declined. They also reached the quarter-finals of the Confederation Cup and were eliminated without losing a match.

“Only 20% of the squad has changed since I left,” he added. “I believe the situation has been difficult psychologically. I hope we can overcome this barrier in the coming period.

“Confidence is important in football and we will try to address that aspect in the matches ahead.”

El-Kouki said his return had gone smoothly and that the conditions for success were in place at Egyptian.

“Things have progressed well since I came back,” he said. “The factors needed for success are available at Egyptian.”

Confidence problem

Asked why the team’s level had dropped this season, El-Kouki pointed to the effect of uncertainty on the players and the wider squad.

“When a player loses confidence, it becomes a problem,” he said. “That may affect the whole group, which then leads to technical difficulties and, afterwards, poor results.

“The team performed well in some matches but ended up with disappointing results. That suggests the psychological side may be affecting the squad.

“Perhaps winning the cup last season meant the team started this campaign with a sense of satisfaction. Then, after the results became inconsistent this season, the team’s confidence was shaken.”

On possible January signings, El-Kouki said any additions would be intended to correct weaknesses in the squad, although the available options were limited.

“January signings are made to improve the team,” he said. “The available choices are not usually numerous, so perhaps we will bring in one or two players.

“However, I do not prefer making signings during the winter transfer window because the best players are usually unavailable at that time.”

Egyptian will play منتخب السويس بتروجت on Wednesday in the second round of the Egypt Capital Cup. The match comes two days before the team begins an 18-day break during the competition’s suspension.

“We will play a match in two days and then have a break during an 18-day stoppage,” El-Kouki said. “We will use that period to work on the team technically and psychologically so that it is fully prepared afterwards.

“For now, we are preparing to perform well in the next two matches.”