FIFA Confederations Cup 2009 contenders, part 2: Egypt
Next on our list of FIFA 2009 Confederations Cup contenders are the Pharaohs from Egypt, current African champions and the first African team to have played in a World Cup. Egypt are currently ranked 31 on the FIFA world rankings, but have been ranked as high as 15 in the World and have won the African Cup of Nations six times.
Despite their dominance in Africa, however, Egypt’s performances in World Cups have been unremarkable. Indeed, they have only played in two World Cups, in 1930 and 1990, dropping out in the first round of each. Egypt has also only played in one Confederations Cup tournament, in 1999, and was knocked out in the first round.
Egypt will therefore be eager to impress in June’s Confederations Cup, in South Africa, although the team has a brutal schedule. On June 15 the Pharaohs play Brazil in Bloemfontein, and only three days later run on against world champs Italy in Johannesburg. And on June 21 Egypt take on the USA, a much improved team that is currently ranked no. 15 in the world.
It won’t be easy for Egypt, but with players such as Ahmed Hossam, Mohammed Zidan and Amr Zaki in the current squad the team has some world-class talent to draw from. It’s been a successful few years for the team under coach Hassan Shehata, who has won two successive African Cup of Nations tournaments, and if local fans get behind their fellow Africans, Egypt’s Pharaohs could cause a few upsets.
Despite their dominance in Africa, however, Egypt’s performances in World Cups have been unremarkable. Indeed, they have only played in two World Cups, in 1930 and 1990, dropping out in the first round of each. Egypt has also only played in one Confederations Cup tournament, in 1999, and was knocked out in the first round.
Egypt will therefore be eager to impress in June’s Confederations Cup, in South Africa, although the team has a brutal schedule. On June 15 the Pharaohs play Brazil in Bloemfontein, and only three days later run on against world champs Italy in Johannesburg. And on June 21 Egypt take on the USA, a much improved team that is currently ranked no. 15 in the world.
It won’t be easy for Egypt, but with players such as Ahmed Hossam, Mohammed Zidan and Amr Zaki in the current squad the team has some world-class talent to draw from. It’s been a successful few years for the team under coach Hassan Shehata, who has won two successive African Cup of Nations tournaments, and if local fans get behind their fellow Africans, Egypt’s Pharaohs could cause a few upsets.
Many Lion’s fans are expected in South Africa to support their team. ”Coupled with the IPL Cricket which ends on 23 May, the 2009 FIFA Confederations Cup in June and the ICC 8-Nations Champions’ Trophy in September, South Africa is certainly expecting thousands of fans for the upcoming top level sporting events,” notes Robert Wilson. CEO of travelinsouthafrica.net . “Fans would be well advised to sort out their travel and accommodation soon,” he said.
by Michael Williams
