Technical Pharaohs’ Hopes Rest on Hassan’s Shoulders

When Hassan Shehata announced the group of players that would travel to Angola, the headlines were created by the absences rather than the inclusions. Mohamed Aboutrika, the epitome of the Egyptian side, is the biggest blow as he misses out due to injury. In a skilful midfield with technique that goes against the African grain, Aboutrika can unlock many a defence. Forward pair Amir Zaki and wandering minstrel Mido have also been excluded from the squad.

The complete squad:

Goalkeepers: Essam Al-Hadari (Ismaili), Abdelwahed Al-Sayed (Zamalek), Mahmoud Aboul-Saoud (Mansoura).

Defenders: Hani Said (Zamalek), Wael Gomaa (Ahly), Mahmoud Fathallah (Zamalek), Moatasem Salem (Ismaili), Abdelzaher Al-Saqqa (Eskisehirspor), Sayed Moawad (Ahly), Mohamed Abdul-Shafi (Zamalek), Ahmed Al-Muhammadi (ENPPI), Ahmed Fathi (Ahly).

Midfielders: Ahmed Hassan (Ahly), Hosni Abd Rabou (Ahli Dubai), Abdul-Aziz Tawfiq (ENPPI), Hossam Ghaly (Al-Nassr), Mohamed Nagui (Ittihad), Shikabala (Zamalek).

Forwards: Mohamed Zidan (Borussia Dortmund), Ahmed Eid (Haras El-Hodoud), Emad Motaeb (Ahly), Ahmed Raouf (ENPPI), Sayed Hamdi (Petrojet).

In the absence of Aboutrika, it seems Ahmed Hassan will be the focal point of the midfield. The player of the tournament in 2006, Hassan has donned the Egypt shirt an astonishing 169 times and, at 34, wants to win the trophy for the fourth time in his career. A dictator of the midfield, Hassan’s positional play and range of passing make him a great asset for the ‘Pharaohs’.

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With Zaki and Mido also left out of the squad, the responsibility of leading the line will fall on the shoulders of Mohamed Zidan. However Egyptian attackers cannot seem to escape controversy, and Zidan is no different. Coach Shehata made a belated decision to call him up to the squad for the 2006 competition, but there was no answer from the player himself or his then club Mainz. Nevertheless, Zidan will undoubtedly have a major role to play, as his immense skill and composure remain unrivalled in the Egypt squad.

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With the abundance of attacking quality they possess, goalkeeper Essam El-Hadary will perhaps play the most important role of all between the Egyptian sticks. The goalkeeper, who turns 37 mid-way through the tournament, will be hoping for a birthday to remember, as he will no doubt play a pivotal role over the next month, just as he did in 2006 and 2008. El-Hadary was named in the best eleven for both of those successes, and with over 110 international appearances, he is widely regarded as one of the best goalkeepers to come out of the continent. El-Hadary also proved himself on the world stage in the summer, with a sensational performance to shut out Italy in the Confederations Cup.

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So Hassan Shehata will have faith in his talented, if slightly depleted, squad to secure the nation’s third consecutive ANC title, and their sixth in total. Their brand of football is what sets them apart from their rivals, though, and their quality in the midfield areas means they have as good a chance as any.