Egypt’s national football team are set to start their preparatory campaign for the important 2012 African Cup of Nations qualifier game against South Africa five days before the date of the match.
The president of the Egyptian Football Association (EFA) Samir Zaher held a meeting on Monday with the Pharaohs’ coach Hassan Shehata to discuss the team’s programme.
The coaching staff will watch the performance of Egyptian clubs, like Ahly, Zamalek, Ismaily and Haras El Houdod, in African competitions on 18 and 19 March and use these to select the Pharaohs’ squad.
“We agreed to start our training camp on 20 March. We have no other choice,” Egypt’s assistant coach Hamada Sedki told Ahram Online on Tuesday.
The game with Bafana Bafana is critical for the Egyptians as they sit bottom of their group with a single point out of a possible six. The current circumstances in Egypt have made it hard for the African champions to prepare.
“The time is too tight so will not be able to have any friendly games,” he said. “We are now monitoring the international players abroad with their clubs as we consider this period a part of their preparations. Ahly, Zamalek and Ismaily players will join us when they finish their African matches,” he added.
