Hossam Hassan and Hany Ramzy said they were proud and honored by being chosen among the best 20 African players over the past 50 years, a list announced by CAF on Saturday. Veteran striker Hassan finished third in the online poll conducted by CAFonline.com after collecting 2011 votes while defender Ramzy, who had 15 years of experience in Europe, was placed 19th with 608 votes. Former Egypt captain and current Ahli vice chairman Mahmoud Al-Khatib came second, trailing Cameroon's great Roger Milla with just 81 votes while national team manager Hassan Shehata was voted 20th. "I am very proud of this result, especially because it is the choice of football fans across Africa," 40-year-old Hassan told FilGoal.com after the CAF declaration. "This means that supporters everywhere appreciate my accomplishments with the national side and clubs I played for, despite the fact that a section of them sees that I should retire." Hassan, still playing for Egyptian side Tersana, lifted the African Cup of Nations in 2006 as captain, 20 years after contributing to winning it as a youngster forward. He is Egypt's all-time scorer with 80 goals and second in the Egyptian League scorers' chart with 166 goals. Hassan also featured for Cairo rivals Ahli and Zamalek, Greek side PAOK, Swiss Neuchatel and Port Said-based club Masri.
Ramzy Ramzy, who played for Bundesliga outfits Werder Bremen and Kaiserslautern during the 90s and the first half of the new millennium, echoed similar sentiments. "It is a big honor to be in the first 20 names of the continent's best players over the second half of the century," Ramzy, 38, told FilGoal.com. "I wish in ten years time I can make the list of Africa's best managers," added Ramzy, who has started his managerial career earlier this month as ENPPI manager The duo was among the most prominent figures of the squad that made Egypt's last appearance in the World Cup in 1990. Hassan also said he wishes that CAF gives the opportunity to African Football experts to say their word after they did with fans. "Although the fans choice reflects their love and appreciation, it remains subjective," he said. "I wish that the CAF conduct another poll for experts because they might have a more objective point of view."
