Egypt's coach Hossam El-Badry says he is subjected to unacceptable criticism from local media as he is facing "unprecedented difficulties" since taking over the team in September 2019. El-Badry broke his silence after the severe criticism he faced following the team's lacklustre display against Kenya 1-1 last Thursday in the fifth round of the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers. "Criticism is acceptable, but when you are criticised intensely for personal reasons by some people and some of media figures, that is unacceptable. They attack the players and talks about players' personal problems," El-Badry told a local radio channel. The Pharaohs have qualified to the 2021 AFCON as leaders of Group G with 12 points after winning three matches and drawing in the other three. "I said earlier that there are difficult circumstances of global confusion and very short period of gatherings which make it harder to create harmony in the team," he added. "When I took over, the players were really down after their disappointing exit from the 2019 AFCON. There has been a lot of tension and pressure on the players. Then there has been the coronavirus and a congestion of fixtures, and there is not enough time for us to prepare. Now we are trying to overcome all these circumstances and are progressing, but we need time," he said. The national team coach did not hide his annoyance with the performance during the Kenya game, saying that after the early goal the team backed down, although he did say he was satisfied with all the players as they were fully concentrated during the Comoros game, which resulted a big victory. The Pharaohs crushed Comoros 4-0 on Monday in the final round of the AFCON qualifiers. (For more sports news and updates, follow Ahram Online Sports on Twitter at @AO_Sports and on Facebook at AhramOnlineSports.)
