EHA launches national telemedicine platform with support from Egyptian doctors abroad    Madbouly reviews strategy to localize pharmaceutical industry, ensure drug supply    Egypt's real estate market faces resale slowdown amid payment pressures    Al-Mashat tells S&P that Egypt working to reduce external debt, empower private sector    Cairo's real estate market shows resilient growth as economy stabilizes: JLL    Egypt inks $121m oil, gas exploration deals with Apache, Dragon Oil, Prenco    Egypt's Foreign Minister, Pakistani counterpart meet in Doha    Egypt condemns terrorist attack in northwest Pakistan    Emergency summit in Doha as Gaza toll rises, Israel targets Qatar    Egypt renews call for Middle East free of nuclear weapons، ahead of IAEA conference    Egypt's EDA, Korean pharma firms explore investment opportunities    Egypt's FM heads to Doha for talks on Israel escalation    Egypt advances plans to upgrade historic Cairo with Azbakeya, Ataba projects    Egyptian pound ends week lower against US dollar – CBE    Egypt hosts G20 meeting for 1st time outside member states    Lebanese Prime Minister visits Egypt's Grand Egyptian Museum    Egypt to tighten waste rules, cut rice straw fees to curb pollution    Egypt seeks Indian expertise to boost pharmaceutical industry    Egypt prepares unified stance ahead of COP30 in Brazil    Egypt recovers collection of ancient artefacts from Netherlands    Egypt harvests 315,000 cubic metres of rainwater in Sinai as part of flash flood protection measures    Egyptian, Ugandan Presidents open business forum to boost trade    Al-Sisi says any party thinking Egypt will neglect water rights is 'completely mistaken'    Egypt's Sisi warns against unilateral Nile measures, reaffirms Egypt's water security stance    Egypt's Sisi, Uganda's Museveni discuss boosting ties    Egypt, Huawei explore healthcare digital transformation cooperation    Greco-Roman rock-cut tombs unearthed in Egypt's Aswan    Egypt reveals heritage e-training portal    Sisi launches new support initiative for families of war, terrorism victims    Egypt expands e-ticketing to 110 heritage sites, adds self-service kiosks at Saqqara    Palm Hills Squash Open debuts with 48 international stars, $250,000 prize pool    On Sport to broadcast Pan Arab Golf Championship for Juniors and Ladies in Egypt    Golf Festival in Cairo to mark Arab Golf Federation's 50th anniversary    Germany among EU's priciest labour markets – official data    Paris Olympic gold '24 medals hit record value    A minute of silence for Egyptian sports    Russia says it's in sync with US, China, Pakistan on Taliban    It's a bit frustrating to draw at home: Real Madrid keeper after Villarreal game    Shoukry reviews with Guterres Egypt's efforts to achieve SDGs, promote human rights    Sudan says countries must cooperate on vaccines    Johnson & Johnson: Second shot boosts antibodies and protection against COVID-19    Egypt to tax bloggers, YouTubers    Egypt's FM asserts importance of stability in Libya, holding elections as scheduled    We mustn't lose touch: Muller after Bayern win in Bundesliga    Egypt records 36 new deaths from Covid-19, highest since mid June    Egypt sells $3 bln US-dollar dominated eurobonds    Gamal Hanafy's ceramic exhibition at Gezira Arts Centre is a must go    Italian Institute Director Davide Scalmani presents activities of the Cairo Institute for ITALIANA.IT platform    







Thank you for reporting!
This image will be automatically disabled when it gets reported by several people.



Forget creature comforts, coach tells Ivorians
The Ivory Coast players have been told by their coach to forget the creature comforts of their European clubs and get to grips with windowless changing rooms and sauna-like conditions
AP Published in Ahram Online on 24 - 01 - 2012

Francois Zahoui added that playing for their country against Group B opponents Sudan, Burkina Faso and Angola mattered more than appearing in La Liga or the English Premier League.
"I tell them to forget the comforts of the club, the national team its a different kettle of fish," the impassioned coach, clearly exasperated by criticism of his team's opening 1-0 win over lowly Sudan, told reporters.
"Here we play in sauna-like conditions, with referees who do what they can under difficult circumstances.
"I have seen changing rooms where there are no windows and no air-conditioning and it's like an oven inside, but that's the African reality," Zahoui said at the team's luxury hotel with its own private beach and golf club.
"I have told my players that the national team is the highest level for any professional player.
"You can have players from clubs like Barcelona, Arsenal,Chelsea, Manchester, but the national team is a step up for each one.
"You must have humility with you, knowing that the country is expecting a win."
Ivory Coast are among the favourites to win their first title since 1992 after losing in the 2006 final and 2008 semi-finals.
On both occasions, they played some of the best football in the tournament but lost to Egypt at the crucial stage.
Zahoui reiterated that his priority was to win this time.
"It doesn't matter if it's a header in the last minute," he said.
"I know through experience that when Ivory Coast won the Nations Cup in 1992, we played extra-time in three games and won on penalties.
"We are favourites and everyone expects to win easily but I work on the basis of respecting the opponents," said the coach who used references to Greece, Argentina, Cameroon and Burundi to make his points.
"When Greece won the Euro 2004 in Portugal (playing defensively), everyone said it was a fantastic achievement but when we play that way, they don't like it.
"I'm going to install a winning mentality and make sure we learn the lessons of the past. My mission is to take the cup back to Abidjan,
"My players are going to suffer and are going to win matches."
Ivory Coast face Burkina Faso in their next game on Thursday.
(For more sports news and updates, follow Ahram Online sports on Twitter: @AO_Sports)

Clic here to read the story from its source.