The public never knows what to expect from defending champions Egypt, reports Ahmed Morsy Egypt, the 2006 and 2008 Africa Cup of Nations champions, made it two wins out of two to qualify for the knockout phase of the 2010 ACN in Angola, allowing them to relax against Benin in the final group match scheduled for yesterday 20 January. However, the uninspiring performance against Mozambique in the opening game highlighted Egypt's shakiness against below bar opponents. "The Egyptian national team's style always fluctuates from one match to another depending on the opponent," Mohamed Ibrahim, 24, told Al-Ahram Weekly. "We never know what to expect from our team. They overturned the (Nigerian) Super Eagles easily while their encounter against Mozambique was lifeless. Nevertheless, I believe that our strategy to play each game using a different approach will greatly help us in the knockout stage and to claim our seventh title." Mahmoud Said, 24, believes that the prayers of the players are playing a significant role in the teams' results. "Egypt coach Hassan Shehata was very successful in the selection of his players," Said said. "Despite the replacements and renewal phase which could have affected the team badly, new players like Mohamed Nagi (Geddo) and Mohamed Abdel-Razek (Shikabala) are in harmony with all their teammates thanks to Shehata." "Being the second team in the championship to qualify to the quarter-finals after Ivory Coast might be a negative aspect psychologically. The Egyptian player always tends to relax, which shouldn't be so in such a tournament. "But all in all, the Egyptian team is considered one of the best in the championship after the World Cup-bound sides stumbled." Mohamed Ashraf, 28, thinks that despite the lacklustre performance against Mozambique, the six-time African champions did just enough to qualify for the quarter-finals. "I think we will be knocked out in the quarter- finals since the opposition have begun to gain form and play better after each match but vice versa we are doing the opposite," Ashraf expected. "However, if we go through the round of eight, it would be our third consecutive title." Mohamed Gaber, 26, is one Egyptian fan who insists Shehata "is a very lucky coach." "We find harmony among the players because most play on domestic teams and know each other well. As for the tactics, there is nothing to talk about," Gaber added. "Our only hope is to exploit the teams going to the World Cup being distracted."
