Former Egypt captain and Arsenal star Mohamed Elneny told AFP that he didn't hesitate for a moment to accept the invitation to join the Pharaohs' reserve squad, which is preparing to compete in the 2025 Arab Cup, kicking off on Monday in Qatar. This statement underscores the veteran player's strong sense of patriotism and his unwavering desire to represent his country regardless of the tournament or the participating team's ranking.
Historical background and importance of the tournament
The Arab Cup is one of the oldest regional competitions in the region, with its first edition held in 1963. Throughout its history, the tournament has served as an important platform for fair competition and strengthening ties between Arab nations. Egypt has had its share of glory, winning the title twice, in 1988 (unofficially) and 1992. The most recent edition, held in Qatar in 2021 under the auspices of FIFA, was a resounding success in terms of both organization and public attendance, serving as a mini-dress rehearsal for the 2022 World Cup. In that edition, the Egyptian national team delivered a strong performance, finishing fourth, which places a responsibility on the current team to perform admirably and strive for an even better result.
Elneny: “There is no second national team for Egypt.”
Elneny, 33, explained, “If I can serve the Egyptian national team, I will do so without hesitation. We respect everyone, but we came here to win the title, and we will achieve this goal, God willing.” The Al Jazira midfielder, currently playing in the UAE, emphasized the idea of national unity, adding, “There is no such thing as a second team. This is a team that plays for Egypt and includes experienced players capable of competing strongly, and why not winning the championship?” His statements reflect the leadership role he plays both on and off the field, as he strives to boost the morale of his teammates and unite them behind a single objective.
Challenges and aspirations of the reserve team
The Egyptian Football Association's decision to field a reserve team comes as the senior national team, led by coach Hossam Hassan and star player Mohamed Salah, prepares for the Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco, which kicks off on December 21. Expert Helmy Toulan, a member of the association's technical committee, has been tasked with forming and leading this reserve squad. This move aims to broaden the pool of international players and give talented players in the domestic league an opportunity to prove themselves. Toulan faced some difficulties, most notably Pyramids FC's initial refusal to release their players due to domestic and continental commitments, before finally allowing striker Marwan Hamdi to join the team. Despite these obstacles, Toulan expressed confidence in his squad, which blends experience and youth, emphasizing that the goal is to "present the best possible image of Egyptian football.".
The local and regional impact of the tournament
Domestically, this participation represents a golden opportunity for players like Mohamed Magdy “Afsha,” Mohamed Sherif, and Mahmoud Hamdy “El Wensh” to rediscover their international form and prove themselves to the national team's coaching staff. Toulan also hopes this experience will form the nucleus of a permanent national team of locally based players, capable of regularly participating in the African Nations Championship (CHAN), a tournament Egypt has been absent from for a long time. Regionally, the tournament takes on added significance given the traditional rivalry between Arab teams. Egypt has been drawn into Group C alongside Kuwait, the UAE, and Jordan, promising tough and exciting matches. As the Pharaohs kick off their campaign against Kuwait at the Lusail Stadium, the team is counting on the strong support of the Egyptian community in Doha, which Toulan described as a “key factor” in driving the players towards competing for the title.
