Egypt's captain Hossam Hassan has silenced his critics after leading Egypt to the semi-finals and along the way scoring beautifully against DR Congo The-39 year-old joined the national team a month before the Nations Cup. "I was called up to the national team and was told by my head coach that I was needed as a leader. I had to accept but later on I discovered that I was in a bewildering situation which I hadn't experienced before. "For the first time in my life I didn't know what was my role but I didn't want to cause any problems in the camp or withdraw from the tournament. I was there because of the fans who trust me," Hassan told Al-Ahram Weekly. "Head coach Hassan Shehata was clear and honest with me and told me he needed me, but he couldn't tell me when I would play," Hassan said. "Hossam Hassan is a great player with a great history," Shehata said. "I needed him on the team and told him that he will be sitting with me on the bench most of the time until he improves in training and that when I need to send him on the pitch, I'll do it." Shehata was criticised for recalling the 39- year-old striker for being over the hill but Hassan, who lifted the 1998 African Nations Cup trophy in Burkina Faso and scored seven goals for top scorer, silenced the critics after assisting on two goals in Egypt's 3-1 victory over Cote d'Ivoire in the group stage. "To tell you the truth, I was surprised when the head coach asked me to warm up to replace Mido (Ahmed Hossam) who suffered a groin injury. I couldn't think. It was an unexpected move from the coach. It's different sitting on the bench and playing." On seeing Hassan warming up, the 70,000 spectators chanted his name, greeting him wildly as he ran onto the field. "I was determined to prove myself. It was my opportunity to remain in the race. I forgot everything and focused on the ball." The veteran striker, known as the bad boy of Egyptian football for often getting into melees, accordingly earned a place among the team's starting lineup in the following 4-1 win against the DR Congo in the quarter-final. Hassan smoothly down chested the ball and fired high into the net for Egypt's second goal. "My sole ambition now is to win the cup for Egypt and lift it for the second time in my career."
