CAIRO: Weariness could be the biggest threat to Egypt when they defend the African Nations Cup in Ghana. Heavy legs and tired minds were evident when Cairo club giants Al-Ahly slumped 3-1 to Tunisian visitors Etoile Sahel in an African Champions League final that produced one of the greatest shocks of the 42-year competition. And several of those exhausted Red Devils will be expected to play key Group C roles as Egypt confront Cameroon, Sudan and Zambia in the central city of Kumasi after qualifying ahead of Mauritania, Burundi and Botswana.
An Ahly star who will not be there, though, is skilful and tireless midfielder Mohamed Barakat, a pivotal figure two years ago when the hosts won a record fifth Nations Cup after a penalty shootout against Ivory Coast.
While the national team warms up with friendlies against Namibia, Mali and Angola in Egypt, the United Arab Emirates and Portugal, Barakat heads for Germany and an operation on a knee injury that has troubled him for months. Former Egypt defender Hassan Shehata, coach of the 2006 cup-winning team, could also miss leading striker Ahmed Mido Hossam due to injury, making his decision to omit consistent Ahly goal poacher Ahmed Bilal puzzling.
Amid the general gloom reflected by a Mission Impossible headline on an Egyptian football website, star Ahly midfielder Mohamed Aboutreika offers hope to some of the most passionate national team supporters on the continent. We are the holders and go to Ghana with only one thought, to successfully defend the title. Everything is going well in our camp and confidence is high, claims the man whose successful spot kick sealed victory two years ago. Aboutreika may rank among the most exhausted Pharaohs as Ahly pay the price for success at domestic and international level by needing to fulfill an average of two fixtures per week.
But if Egypt are to progress beyond the quarter-finals, where Senegal or Tunisia are possible opponents, the smiling assassin will have to rediscover the midfield magic that created scoring chances for himself and team-mates. Adding to the burden on Aboutreika will be the absence of suspended captain Ahmed Hassan from the opening match against Cameroon, a fixture likely to settle who tops the table and remains in Kumasi for the last-eight phase.
Egypt generally excels in defense, and most coaches in Ghana would relish having veteran goalkeeper Essam Al-Hadary, but the defending champions look short of firepower with Ahly striker Emad Moteab injury prone. -AFP
