It will be a massive disappointment if
six-time African champions the Pharaohs of Egypt fail to qualify for
the 2010 World Cup, says the team’s star striker Ahmed Hossam - aka
Mido.
Mido, Middlesbrough - Tottenham Hotspur (PA)
WIGAN ATHLETIC- ELZAMALEK
Egypt
won an unprecedented sixth Africa Cup of Nations title in fine style in
February but last played at the World Cup in 1990 in Italy, when they
exited in the first round.
“We have got everything now – the coach, the players – to reach the
World Cup. If we don’t, we will be highly disappointed,” said Mido, who
missed out on the last Nations Cup in Ghana because of injury.
“Take the case of Amr Zaki. He has proved himself very quickly in a
tough league like England after coming from the local league. There are
several other players of his quality still playing back home because
clubs like Al Ahly and Zamalek have the resources to keep them.”
Both Zaki and compatriot Mohamed Aboutrika are among the five
nominees for the 2008 CAF Player of the Year Award while Ahly are on
course for their sixth Champions League conquests.
The 25-year-old Middlesbrough striker will be remembered for his
public falling out with Egypt coach Hassan Shehata, by the sidelines
when he was pulled out of the 2006 Nations Cup semi-final against
Senegal.
“I now have a very good professional relationship with him,” said
Mido, who was slapped a six-month suspension for his tantrums.
“He has done very well. He is the only coach to have won the tournament back to back. That’s great.”
Egypt are one of the five seeded teams going in Wednesday’s draw for
the final round of the 2010 World Cup qualifying tournament which also
serves for the Nations Cup in Angola also in 2010.
The Pharaohs will head one of five groups of four teams each with
the overall group winner qualifying for the World Cup while the top
three teams from each group feature at the Nations Cup.from
goal.com/en/
six-time African champions the Pharaohs of Egypt fail to qualify for
the 2010 World Cup, says the team’s star striker Ahmed Hossam - aka
Mido.
Mido, Middlesbrough - Tottenham Hotspur (PA)
WIGAN ATHLETIC- ELZAMALEK
Egypt
won an unprecedented sixth Africa Cup of Nations title in fine style in
February but last played at the World Cup in 1990 in Italy, when they
exited in the first round.
“We have got everything now – the coach, the players – to reach the
World Cup. If we don’t, we will be highly disappointed,” said Mido, who
missed out on the last Nations Cup in Ghana because of injury.
“Take the case of Amr Zaki. He has proved himself very quickly in a
tough league like England after coming from the local league. There are
several other players of his quality still playing back home because
clubs like Al Ahly and Zamalek have the resources to keep them.”
Both Zaki and compatriot Mohamed Aboutrika are among the five
nominees for the 2008 CAF Player of the Year Award while Ahly are on
course for their sixth Champions League conquests.
The 25-year-old Middlesbrough striker will be remembered for his
public falling out with Egypt coach Hassan Shehata, by the sidelines
when he was pulled out of the 2006 Nations Cup semi-final against
Senegal.
“I now have a very good professional relationship with him,” said
Mido, who was slapped a six-month suspension for his tantrums.
“He has done very well. He is the only coach to have won the tournament back to back. That’s great.”
Egypt are one of the five seeded teams going in Wednesday’s draw for
the final round of the 2010 World Cup qualifying tournament which also
serves for the Nations Cup in Angola also in 2010.
The Pharaohs will head one of five groups of four teams each with
the overall group winner qualifying for the World Cup while the top
three teams from each group feature at the Nations Cup.from
goal.com/en/
