Egypt's national football team coach Hossam El-Badry explained early on Thursday several of the reasons that forced him to cancel the previously scheduled closed camp this June, including the busy schedule of the Egyptian Premier League. The Pharaohs were scheduled to hold a training camp within preparations for the 2022 World Cup qualifiers during the ongoing international break after FIFA postponed the African qualifiers due to coronavirus pandemic. Egypt was supposed to face Angola and Gabon respectively in the World Cup qualifiers this June, but FIFA postponed the games until September. "It was difficult to call the players for the June camp after FIFA postponed the games, as we suffer from a busy schedule in the Egyptian League and the foreign based players just finished their commitments with their teams and they need for a break," El-Badry told a radio sports programme early on Thursday. "Moreover, Ahly and Pyramids FC teams are participating in the African tournaments and they need time to prepare for their continental missions, which also caused the June camp to be canceled," the Egypt national team coach added. "I thought it would be a big risk to play two friendlies that could exhaust and pressure the players without benefits," El-Badry said. "We will play against Angola and Gabon in the World Cup qualifiers next September and there won't be enough time to play any friendly games," "We will do our best in September's games to book a top place in FIFA's ranking to be among the top five African teams," the Egypt national team coach said. The Pharaohs have qualified for the 2021 AFCON as leaders of Group G with 12 points after winning three matches and drawing in the other three. Egypt's next game is scheduled to be against Angola in the 2022 World Cup qualifiers, where they play in Group F, which includes Libya and Gabon. (For more sports news and updates, follow Ahram Online Sports on Twitter at @AO_Sports and on Facebook at AhramOnlineSports.)
