Two-time reigning African champions Egypt are ready to make the splash onto the world stage and what better place to do so than at the Confederations Cup. We here at Mad About Fútbol have pumped up the Egyptians as a team to watch- way over the US. This team is one that has tactical and techincal endowment that have placed them in this position.






The Superstar
The attacking style of Egypt and their ability to threaten opposing goals starts and ends with Al Ahly superstar Mohamed Aboutrika. The reigning African Player of the Year is ready to show the world why they call him ¨The Egyptian Zidane¨. Aboutrika has the ability to set the pace at whatever speed he wants and he has the weapons to make his presence even more fearful. The 30-year old Aboutrika led his club side to a 71-win match unbeaten streak in their domestic league as well as a CAF title back in 2006. He was also the revelation of the 2006 World Club Cup, in which Al Ahly earned the bronze medal.

As all eyes and tactical plans to stop Egypt will be centered around him, there are other players that will have to be kept an eye on.

A player to watch for is Borussia Dortmund striker will Mohamed Zidan. Although he has not had the impact of another ¨Zidan(e)¨, Mohamed has always shown flashes of brilliance. He will be the key up front as well as their big scoring threat in all situations.

Although this is their showcase event, it seems like this could be as close as the African champs will get to South Africa. They are currently in the cellar of Group C in the CAF after losing at the weekend in shocking fashion to surprising group leaders Algeria in Bilda 3-1. Wigan´s Amr Zaki has been on a torrid pace ever since he was first called up back in 2004. Zaki earned 50 caps and The Pharoahs has hit the back of the net 26 times. Unfortunately, he will be the biggest blow tothe Egyptian squad due to injury. They will now have to look at Ahmed Eid, Mohamed Abougreisha, Ahmed Abdul Ghani, and Ihab Al Masri. Between them they have a total of nine goals.

The Greatest Pharoah?
The Confederations Cup will have the pleasure of having one of the greatest international players in history making somewhat of a farewell tour. Ahmed Hassan will get closer to Hossam Hassan in the caps department. Currently Hassan is 14 caps away from surpassing the Egyptian legend. At 154 caps, he finds himself in ninth place in that category and could find himself in the top five by the end of this year. Ahmed was the player that took the baton from the former Al Ahly star, Hossam, who retired back in 2007.

Ahmed Hassan is the undisputed leader of the Egyptian team and was the voted as the player of the tournament in the last edition of the African Cup of Nations where the Pharoahs successfully defended their title. He still is a long ways from Hossam Hassan, but he will definitely be up in that stratosphere if Egypt were to qualify for the third-ever World Cup. That seems like a tough task right now as the Africa champs find themselves in the cellar in Group C of the CAF qualifiers. Their last match in qualifying play saw them fall to surprising leader Algeria 3-1 on the road.

Their defense is a good one led by Al-Ahly anchor Wael Gomaa. A stalwart in the Egyptian backline, he is also a threat up front with the potential to score off corners and set pieces. He will definitely be a challenge for and defender to fend off in those situations.

Speaking of groups, they have their hands full as they will be in cahrge of giving headaches to Brazil and Italy as well as the United States in Group B of the Confederations Cup.


Goalkeepers: Essam Al Hadari (Sion, SUI), Abdul Wahed Al Sayed (El Zamalek), Mohamed Sobhi (Ismaily), Al Hani Soliman (El-Ittihad Alexandria)

Defenders: Hani Said (El Zamalek), Mahmoud Fathallah (El Zamalek), Wael Gomaa (Al-Ahly), Sherif Abdul Fadhil (Ismaily), Ahmed Said (Haras El Hodood), Ahmed Al Muhammadi (ENPPI), Sayed Moawad (Al Ahly), Hazem Emam (El Zamalek), Ahmed Samir Farag (Ismaily)

Midfielders: Ahmed Fathi (Al Ahly), Mohamed Shawki (Middlesbrough, ENG), Hosni Abd Rabu (Al Ahli Dubai, UAE), Ahmed Khairy (Ismaily), Mohamed Soliman (Ismaily), Abdul Aziz Tawfiq (ENPPI), Ahmed Hassan (Al Ahly), Mohamed Aboutrika (Al Ahly)

Forwards: Ahmed Eid (Haras El Hodood), Mohamed Zidan (Boroussia Dortmund, GER), Mohamed Abougreisha (Ismaily), Ahmed Abdul Ghani (Haras El Hodood), Ahmed Raouf (ENPPI), Ihab Al Masri (Arab Contractors), Amr Zaki (Wigan Athletic, ENG)


Let us know what you think about The Pharoahs' chances in the Confederations Cup in South Africa.