Egyptian defender Ahmed El Mohamady says he will be happy to win the Africa Cup of Nations again in Gabon.
The player, who is a key member of the Egyptian defense that has not conceded any goal at AFCON, reckons it will be graceful if the Pharaohs are to be crowned kings of Africa for the eighth time.
The Hull City man, who has won the competition twice, in 2008 and 2010, believes his team has the firepower to surmount the Burkina hurdle and surge into the final.
In an interview with the BBC World Service, Mohamady says, “They call it Africa’s small world cup, it’s a really good competition.
I have been here before and won it twice. It is very enjoyable and to win it again will be fantastic.” Egypt have not lost a Nations Cup game in 23 matches and not conceded in their last nine matches.
They would be contesting their fourth semi final match in their last four AFCONS. They have won all. It is an enviable record for the Egyptians with regard to the fact that they were not tipped by anyone to go this far due to missing three previous editions.
Egypt have been solid at the back and a lot of the credit has gone to 44-year-old goalie, Essam El Hadary for his experience and potency in goal for the Pharaohs. El Mohamady, who began his international career 10 years after El Hadary, has described him as an example and a role model for the side.
“He is very good. He is an example for all of us and any player in Egypt. He is a good man. He has been in the competition 7 times and has won it 4 times so he has all the experience we need to move on,” he said.
El Hadary’s experience is an asset the Egyptians will count on as they continue to make heavy strides in a tournament they always seem to do well in. Burkina Faso stand in their way to reaching the final of the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations.
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