Psychology is the key to beat Egypt, says LeRoy

DR Congo boss Claude LeRoy insisted that his players’ confidence will be one of the main keys leading to a victory over Egypt in the African Cup of Nations (ACN) quarter-finals match that will take place on Friday.

"The psychological approach is going to be important. It's always easier to meet the host nation in the quarter or semi-finals than in the final because there isn't yet that complete communion between a team and its people," BBC Sport quoted LeRoy as saying on Tuesday.

"It's rare that a home team loses a final but before that you can pull it off," he added.

The French caretaker also insisted that DR Congo had nothing to lose after fulfilling their aim of reaching the African Cup quarter-finals and stressed that the situation will be different for Egypt, who he considers as competition favorites.

"They are runaway favorites, they are on the way up and we are heading in the other direction. Obviously they're going to be saying to themselves - if things go wrong against Congo it's going to be the end of the world," LeRoy added.

LeRoy, who led Cameroon against Egypt in their 1986 defeat on penalties, also insisted that he knew quite well what to expect in their highly-anticipated match.

"I was here for a final against Egypt 20 years ago so I know how the momentum gets built up," he added.