Egypt’s progress to the quarterfinal stage of the ongoing Africa Cup of Nations in Gabon shows football in the country is emerging from a dark period, Egyptian Football Association board member Hazam El Harawi has stated.
Following political upheaval in Egypt, domestic football was suspended and though the embargo has been lifted, some restrictions are still in place regarding attendance to games for some supporters.
The national side have also suffered and they are playing at their first Nations Cup since 2010.
“This affected Egyptian football so much in the last four or five years,” said El Harawi, who is in charge of the country’s delegation in Gabon.
“We know how the people feel when you win the trophy and go back to your country with the cup. It’s a massive thing for us.”
El Harawi also insisted there is political support for football in the country, and that Egypt coach Hector Cuper and his new ideas have contributed to the revival of the national team.
The Pharaohs have won the Nations Cup a record seven times and face Morocco on Sunday January 29 for a place in this edition’s semi-finals.
Four members of the current squad were part of the last Egypt side to lift the AFCON trophy. Ahmed Fathi, Mohamed Abdel-Shafy, Ahmed El Mohamady, and veteran goalkeeper Essam El- Hadary, who became the oldest player in Nations Cup history at this tournament, all picked up a winner’s medal in 2010.
El Hadary, 44, has won the tournament four times.
Source: Ghana/AccraFM.com
