The Pharaohs would count on their old experienced players for renewed vigour.
The performance of Egypt during the joint eliminatories of this year’s African Cup of Nations and World Cup was mediocre. Five victories, two draws and three defeats enabled the Pharaohs to finished third in Group three with 17 points, miles behind Côte d’Ivoire and Cameroon. With such results, it was evident that there would be changes in the Egyptian squad to enable the team keep its dream of winning its fifth African Cup of Nations title. It is therefore understandable why coach Hassan Shehata decided to bring in "fresh" blood for Egypt’s record 20th Nations Cup appearance.
The Pharaohs would count on their veterans for renewed vigour. Hassan Shehata, who had problems with the former coach of the team, is back in force. The 39-year-old is considered as a great leader. It is believed that his presence would be a great moral
booster for the squad. "We will be competing against the best African footballers at the Nations Cup and we need our best players if we want to win the Nations Cup," assistant coach Shawky Ghareeb said. In the same light, Zamalek defender Ibrahim Said, returns to the Nations Cup for the first time since 2002.
The experience of these veterans would blend with the skills of players of the new generation such as Ahmed `Mido` Hossam. The striker can change the course of a game as he has a nose for goals.
As host, Egypt also has the advantage of playing at home. Beating the Pharaohs in their own backyard, where they win almost twice as often as they do away, is always a problem. Proof of this is the fact that two of the four African titles of the Pharaohs were won on home soil - in 1959 and 1986. It is for such reasons that pundits think the Pharaohs, pooled in Group A alongside Morocco, Libya and World Cup finalists, the Ivory Coast, can make it to the final.
