Egypt target fifth U-20 Afcon title

Egypt target fifth U-20 Afcon title

Egypt target fifth U-20 Afcon title

Record four-time Under-20 Africa Cup of Nations winners Egypt says they are in Zambia hunting for fifth title.

Addressing a pre-match press conference assistant coach Ahmed Farouk said that they were always playing to win just like their senor counterparts.

Farouk said that they will treat all their opponents in Group A with respect as they represented the best on the continent.

“We are ready for the tournament, Egypt plays to win just like the senior team,” he said.

He added: “All Egyptian teams play to win, we know that all the teams here are the best in Africa.”

Egyptian captain Omar Radwan said that he was hoping to use the tournament as a springboard to Europe.

“I know there will be a lot of scouts here, I am very ambitious and want to go to Europe and play in the Champions especially the Premier League,” he said.

Radwan hopes to walk in the steps of top star Mohammed Salah who was a product of the junior teams.

Egypt will open its account with a match against Mali on Sunday in an 18:00 hours kickoff.

 

Mali coach not swayed by favourites tag

Mali coach not swayed by favourites tag

Mali coach not swayed by favourites tag

Mali U-20 men’s national football team coach Ba Baye says his team will not be swayed by the favourites tag but concentrate on winning their match against Egypt.

Baye said that 10 of his players were playing in the Malian top division with skipper Abdoue Dante starring for Belgian giants Anderlecht.

Baye was elevated alongside most his 2015 U-17 Africa Cup winning side to the Under-20 ranks.

“The objective is to win the title but there are steps to follow so we have the first game before we think about winning,” he said.

“We are always favourites but we have to play the match on the pitch.”

And Dante said that the team was playing to protect the image of their country.

“”The most important thing here is to play for the image of Mali,” he said.

Group A matches will kickoff tomorrow with Zambia playing Guinea while Mali will face Egypt in an 18:00 hours kickoff.

© FAZ

 

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