Egypt is facing a tough challenge this Friday in the qualification of the 2018 African nations Championships. They’ll be away to Morocco and must win or risk having the entire local team disbanded by the federation.
They’re known as “Locals Team” in Egypt – and rightly so. It’s the first time the country is fielding players for the African Championship of Nations, and their maiden campaign so far been almost disastrous.
“There seem[s] to be no interest from the Egyptian football association for the locally-based National Team,” Omar El Banouby, a sports analyst, told CGTN Africa’s Adel El Mahrouky.
“The former coach Hani Ramzy and the federation fought over many things, including training camps, friendly games, team outfits and got nothing. On the contrary Morocco has been taking this competition too seriously by appointing Hervy Rernard their National Team coach for the locals as well”
It could get worse for the Pharaohs – they drew 1-1 in their first leg tie at home against Morocco.
Playing away before a hostile Moroccan crowd could prove the ultimate test of survival.
“The match will be tough,” Omar adds.
“It’s always difficult beating Morocco, considering they scored an away goal. It’s enough for them [to] draw the match 0-0 and qualify. It could take a miracle for Egypt to turn the match to their favour and win.”
The Egyptian football association has been labouring to prepare the national team for the FIFA World Cup and ensuring it remains a formidable contender for the African Cup of Nations. Anything else other than these is a distraction. It would appear the locally-based players team is on their own
“EFA member Magdy Abdel Ghani has indicated that the team will be disbanded as they don’t have any future plans for them. They say these are qualification matches, if the team win, they have no problem, but should they lose, they will be happy to relieve the team of its burden,” Omar also stated.
All indications are clear that this could as well be Egypt’s first – and last African Nations Championships campaign since its inception in 2009.
