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Al-Ahram Weekly 4 -10 February 1999 Issue No. 415 
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Published in Cairo by AL-AHRAM established in 1875 |
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Al-Ahram Weekly 4 -10 February 1999 Issue No. 415
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| Published in Cairo by AL-AHRAM established in 1875 |
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Egypt Region International Book Fair Economy Opinion Culture Features Living Travel Sports People Time Out Chronicles Cartoons Letters Heading for another trophy
By Eman Abdel-MoetiEgypt reached the semi-finals of the under-17 Afro-European football championship in South Africa when it drew 1-1 with Ireland in its final group match. The tie left Egypt with five points after it held the mighty Spaniards to a goalless draw in the opener and then pounded the hosts 3-1. Spain and South Africa had posed the most serious threat to Egypt's chances of winning the tournament, the second time it is being held. Spain finished first in the group with seven points while South Africa and Ireland, who rounded out the group, have bid the tournament good-bye earlier than either expected. Ghana, Italy, Portugal and Nigeria make up Group B. The semis are scheduled to start today.
The Egyptians thus avenged a 2-1 loss to Spain in the quarter-finals of the U-17 World Cup held in Egypt in 1997. As for South Africa, Egypt had expressed doubts over the age of some of its players who, officials contended, were over 17. But South Africa submitted documents proving otherwise. Over the years, South Africa and Egypt have had a heated rivalry in several sports which made Egypt's victory all the sweeter. The Egyptians showed none of the jitters that would show up in juniors playing in their first international tournament. Rather, they were as composed as the most experienced veteran. Coach Shawki Gharib relied on his three defenders, Mohamed El-Ashrawi, Ahmed Marei and Mohamed Mahmoud, who proved not only stalwarts in the back but adept play makers as well.
Some German members of the European Federation attending the match were so impressed with the team's performance and tactics that they quickly dubbed Gharib the 'new Gohary' in reference to Egypt's famed national team coach. Gharib, 39, is the youngest coach in the tournament. A former international midfielder, he refused to celebrate the win over South Africa, saying the team achieved what it was supposed to. He said the championship was only one of many more challenging tournaments: the juniors World Cup in 2001, the Mediterranean Games, the 2003 All-Africa Games, the 2004 Olympics and the 2006 World Cup. All, says Gharib, will test the team's true potential.
Who will host the 2000 African Nations Cup was a major sideline issue in South Africa. Zimbabwe is the chosen country but, according to a report filed by the African Federation, the country's facilities might not be good enough. If Zimbabwe is not ready, Egypt has officially requested to replace it "based on our success in hosting and organising the '97 U-17 World Cup," Kadry Abdel-Halim, head of Egypt's delegation, said. "No one in the federation or its executive committee denies Egypt's ability to organise the championship after our success with the U-17 World Cup which impressed one and all."
The third Afro-European championship will be held in Italy in 2001. The first championship, won by Nigeria, was held in Portugal.
