Egypt, S.Arabia step up trade ties through coordination council talks    Egypt reviews progress on $200m World Bank-funded waste management hub    Egypt urges Israel to accept Gaza deal amid intensifying fighting    SCZONE showcases investment opportunities to eight Japanese companies    Egypt, ADIB explore strategic partnership in digital healthcare, investment    SCZONE, Tokyo Metropolitan Government sign MoU on green hydrogen cooperation    Egypt welcomes international efforts for peace in Ukraine    Al-Sisi, Macron reaffirm strategic partnership, coordinate on Gaza crisis    Contact Reports Strong 1H-2025 on Financing, Insurance Gains    Egypt, India's BDR Group in talks to establish biologics, cancer drug facility    AUC graduates first cohort of film industry business certificate    Egyptian pound down vs. US dollar at Monday's close – CBE    Egypt's FM, Palestinian PM visit Rafah crossing to review Gaza aid    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    Egypt, Namibia explore closer pharmaceutical cooperation    Fitch Ratings: ASEAN Islamic finance set to surpass $1t by 2026-end    Renowned Egyptian novelist Sonallah Ibrahim dies at 88    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    Egypt's Sisi, Sudan's Idris discuss strategic ties, stability    Egypt to inaugurate Grand Egyptian Museum on 1 November    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.



Algeria hero Bouazza relishing another crack at Egypt
Published in Daily News Egypt on 26 - 01 - 2010

BENGUELA: Playing defending champions Egypt Thursday in an Africa Cup of Nations semi-final here is a dream come true for Algeria hero Hameur Bouazza.
The 24-year-old wide midfielder from English second-tier club Blackpool headed the extra-time winner that toppled title favorites Ivory Coast last Sunday and he has been itching for another shot at the 'Pharaohs'.
Although the 'Desert Foxes' defeated Egypt at home and in a Sudan play-off to snatch an unexpected place at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, they are still battling to win over domestic media skeptics.
"It is great playing Egypt again as it offers us a chance to prove we beat them fairly and not through luck, Bouazza said as the countdown began to the 1930GMT clash of bitter regional rivals at the 35,000-seat Ombaka Stadium.
"We won through hard work and because we have a lot of talented players, he said, referring to the 1-0 play-off victory courtesy of a late first-half goal from defender Antar Yahia.
The three World Cup clashes between the countries were enveloped in controversy with Egypt claiming their food was poisoned in Blida while the Algerian bus was stoned en route to its Cairo hotel from the airport.
Hundreds of rival supporters were reportedly injured in Khartoum, Egyptian citizens and property was attacked in Algiers, and a war of words erupted between high-level government officials.
Bouazza preferred to concentrate on football, stressing that while the 'Foxes' may lack individual stars like 170-cap Egypt midfielder and skipper Ahmed Hassan, they possess abundant character and team spirit.
That was clear in the oil-rich Cabinda enclave against the Ivorians as they recovered from conceding an 89th-minute goal to level two minutes into stoppage time via the head of Glasgow Rangers defender Madjid Bougherra.
And when a long cross from the left drifted to the far post two minutes into extra time, unmarked Bouazza calmly nodded the ball into the corner of the net and closed the scoring in a Nations Cup epic.
"This team has got real character and team spirit is probably our greatest strength. Matches are won by happy players and that is the case with us, he said, reiterating pre-tournament comments.
Bouazza senses Algeria, back in the last four for the first time since they hosted and won the 1990 tournament for their sole Africa title, can confound the critics further, defeat Egypt and win the January 31 Luanda climax.
"I am convinced we can do something special in Angola. The coach encourages us all the time and that is what we need, he said, heaping praise on five-time Algeria boss Rabah Saadane.
The 'Foxes' had to recover from a 3-0 drubbing by minnows Malawi to reach the knockout phase via a 1-0 win over Mali and a dour 0-0 draw against Angola amid media allegations the result was 'fixed' so both teams would advance.


Clic here to read the story from its source.