A new challenge is awaiting record Africa Cup of Nations champions, Egypt. The Pharaohs who have bagged seven titles missed the last two editions of the continent’s most prestigious tournament after achieving an unprecedented feat by winning three titles in a row between 2006 and 2010. And they are looking for a return to the African football showpiece under a new trainer.
Egypt will kick off their Orange Africa Cup of Nations – Morocco 2015 qualifying campaign with a Group G double header away to Senegal on September 5 and before hosting Tunisia five days later in Cairo. Botswana is the other team in the group.
New coach Shawky Gharib will make his official debut as Pharaohs mentor away to Senegal in Dakar. The former Egypt midfielder won the continental title as a player in 1986 on home soil, before achieving the same feat as assistant to Hassan Shehata three-times in a row; 2006, 2008 and 2010.
Gharib is also famous with guiding Egypt to their best achievement in the history of the FIFA U-20 World Cup, a bronze feat in 2001 in Argentina.
He took over the mantle last November from American Bob Bradley, who was shown the exit after losing to Ghana 7-3 on aggregate during the 2014 FIFA World Cup playoffs.
“To qualify for the 2015 AFCON, we have to start well”, Gharib told Cafonline.com as Egypt started their preparatory camp in the southern city of Aswan.
“Our group is a tough one and we have to start on a positive note. We respect Senegal, Tunisia and Botswana the same way, but our target is to qualify for the final tournament in Morocco. Egypt has missed the last two editions and that doesn’t match for a team with our name and reputation”, he added.
The 55-year old has named 30 players for the camp, 12 of whom ply their trade abroad.
“For the first time in ages we have a large pool of players based abroad. In addition to the experienced ones like Essam ElHadary, Hossam Ghaly, Hosny Abd Rabou and Ahmed Fathy, there are many young names and new recruits who are capable of defending the national team jersey in the coming times. We tried to lower the age average and build a new Pharaohs team with average age of 23 years old”.
The trainer is already counting the benefits the experience the foreign-based players will bring to bear on his team.
“Playing in European big leagues like English Premier League, Portuguese and Swiss leagues will benefit the national team. Also the local based ones are ready because most of them played with Ahly in the CAF Confederation Cup and with Zamalek in the CAF Champions League. I hope all of them will be ready and fit for the games ahead.”
Meanwhile, Egypt beat Kenya 1-0 in a friendly on Saturday in Aswan. Ahly midfielder Amr Gamal scored the only goal on 80 minutes for the Pharaohs, who paraded a locally dominated side.
Confederation of African Football (CAF) News
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