Egypt have an excellent opportunity to lay World Cup ghosts to rest after being handed a favorable draw in the qualifiers' final phase. The six-time African champions will face Algeria, Rwanda and Zambia in Group C as they aim to end a barren spell by reaching the World Cup for the first time since 1990. Expectations are sky high this time that Egypt would finally appear in the gigantic world event. Egypt's current crop of players is widely considered as one of the finest generations the country has had in its footballing history. There is no shortage of quality, with Egypt dominating the Dark Continent after winning two successive Nations Cup titles in 2006 and 2008. Coach Hassan Shehata has an abundance of stars at his disposal like CAF Player of the Year contender Amr Zaki, Ahli playmaker Mohamed Abou-Treika, Middlesbrough striker Mido and Dortmund's Mohamed Zidan. “There is no doubt that we are the best African team at this stage. And we as players have the confidence to make it all the way to South Africa,” Wigan Athletic striker Zaki told FIFA.com recently. “Thinking any differently would be kind of madness after winning the Africa Cup of Nations twice in a row.” Easy Task? Egypt, who were technically ready to face any opponent in Africa, were handed their easiest draw in a decade. Having faced the likes of Cameroon, Ivory Coast, Morocco, Tunisia and Senegal in the previous three editions of the World Cup qualifiers, Egypt's current task looks much easier. Egypt's main competitors Algeria, who were one of the most fearsome teams in the 1980s and 1990s, have been a spent force in recent years. The one-time African champions failed to reach the 2006 and 2008 Nations Cups, looking nowhere near their best.
Egypt drew with Zambia in CAN 2008 They have notably improved in the first round of the World Cup qualifiers, though, topping their group that featured Gambia, Senegal and Liberia. However, they are aware that it will be difficult to match Egypt in the decisive round. “It's a tough group especially that we have to face back to back African champions Egypt who are in the form of their lives,” Algeria coach Rabeh Saadan said. “They have been dominating the continent on both club and international levels. “We want to guarantee qualifying to CAN by earning a top three spot, and then we'll see about the World Cup.” Outsiders Zambia have an ambition to cause a huge upset and reach the World Cup finals for the first time in their history. “Our chances of qualifying for the World Cup finals for the first time are entirely in our own hands,” Zambia legend Kalusha Bwalya, who heads the country's Football Association, said last month. “I played in qualification competition during my career and I would give all my experience to help us get there now. “The 2010 World Cup is the ultimate challenge, a dream for every Zambian.” Zambia progressed to the final round as Group 11 winners, ahead of 2006 World Cup debutants Togo, who eventually advanced as one of the best eight second-placed teams, and minnows Swaziland. The Chipolopolo held Egypt to a 1-1 draw in the 2008 Nations Cup group stage, but by that time the Pharaohs were guaranteed a place in the quarter-finals. Rwanda sprung a big surprise by finishing Group eight level on points with North African giants Morocco, whom they defeated 3-1 at home. But Branko Tucak's men, who have never qualified for the World Cup and reached the Nations Cup just once in 2004, will be dreaming of a miracle to cause a huge upset.
