Egypt national team staff concerned by lack of activity
The Egyptian national team will hold a long preparation camp ahead of the South Africa clash in the African Cup of Nations qualifiers (ACN) in case league matches don’t resume, according to a staff member.
“Resuming league action is crucial for our preparation but we will have a long training camp ahead of the South Africa game. We have yet to decide if it will be in Egypt or abroad,” Egypt goalkeepers’ coach Ahmed Soliman told Ahram online.
The Egyptian Football Association (EFA) has suspended all league action since 25 January due to the ongoing protests all around the country. The EFA officials are considering their options as there is a possibility of resuming the games immediately behind closed doors for security reasons or to maintain the suspension until stability and security return to the country.
“Resuming the games is best for our players but it’s not up to us to decide, we will have to wait and see,” Egypt coach Hassan Shehata was quoted as saying in Al-Ahram.
The Pharaohs are set to face the Bafana Bafana on 25 March in round 3 of the ACN qualifiers 2012. Shehata’s men are in the tail of Group 7 with a single point as they were held to a 1-1 draw by Sierra Leone before suffering a shock 1-0 defeat against Niger.
