Egypt aim to extend AFCON record amidst tough Group B competition

Mahmoud Ahmed Ibrahim Hassan, commonly known as Trezeguet, boldly expressed the team's singular ambition upon their arrival in Cote d'Ivoire, where they will contend with formidable opponents in Group B.

The city of Abidjan, Cote d'Ivoire's capital, will serve as the battleground for Egypt, pitted against football powerhouses Ghana, resilient Mozambique, and the determined Cape Verde.

Trezeguet, in an interview featured on the Official CAF website, acknowledged the challenges that lie ahead: "It is a difficult group. It is not easy. All the African teams are strong and have very good players. We will play all the matches as finals and see what they look like. We came here aiming for a new title. Since our arrival, the entire team has only one goal, to be crowned champions."

Trezeguet, a former Aston Villa player gearing up for his fourth AFCON appearance, carries the weight of past defeats. The scars of the 2017 loss against Cameroon and the 2021 setback in Cameroon against Senegal linger, providing both motivation and determination for redemption: "It is really difficult to lose two finals. It is painful, but we will try again to get the title.

"We must have what we deserve, and we hope that this time luck will be on our side and that God will help us," he added.

The Pharaohs are scheduled to kick off their AFCON campaign against Mozambique on Sunday, 14 January, followed by a showdown with Ghana four days later. The final group fixture against Cape Verde on 22 January will test Egypt's mettle as they navigate through the challenging group stage.

Trezeguet's emphasis on treating each match as a final underscores the team's unwavering commitment to securing victory and adding another chapter to their storied AFCON legacy.

As the football world awaits the unfolding drama in Abidjan, Egypt's Pharaohs stand poised to showcase their prowess, with the hope that this AFCON journey will culminate in a triumphant extension of their record-breaking legacy.

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