Into Africa?

As far as sport is concerned, Egypt is thoroughly African, and has left an indelible mark on the continent's sports scene. Take football -- Egypt hosted the African Cup of Nations in 1959, 1974, and 1986, and is also scheduled to host it in 2006. The Africa Cup of Nations, which incidentally was launched before its European counterpart, was initiated by Egypt. And, Egypt, along with Ghana and Cameroon, has won the Africa Cup of Nations four times, the only countries to do so. Egyptian striker Mahmoud El-Khatib won the France Football Best African footballer of the year in 1983.

The impressive power of the modern football player is specifically linked to contractual negotiations. For many black African football players, Egypt is a testing and training ground for their talents and skills -- including those of negotiation.

There are about 50 black African professional soccer players in Egyptian clubs at the moment -- most of them not well known to the global public. Most play in second and third league clubs, but a few have made a name for themselves in some of the country's top clubs.

--read on--

Invented in Egypt: A history of sport
Nevine El-Aref looks at how the Pharaohs invented sports -- and possibly even football

Into Africa?
Gamal Nkrumah looks at Egypt's African heritage

Love at first sight
Mohamed El-Sayed shows how Egyptians quickly became the masters of their game

Across the barricades
The Ahli-Zamalek rivalry has always been Egyptian football's premier showdown. Inas Mazhar chooses sides

Beginning of the ball
The Ancient Egyptians, history tells, are not only the inventors of sports, but as Nevine El-Aref uncovers, of ball itself