Egypt’s national team players are always under the constant pressure of pleasing the fans and achieving their dreams at the current African Cup of Nations remarks keeper Mahmoud Gennesh, who also defended goalkeepers' coach Ahmed Nagy after his recent injury.
The Pharaohs third-choice keeper Gennesh was ruled out of the African Cup after injuring his Achilles tendon during a training session on Friday.
Goalkeepers coach Ahmed Nagy was blamed by some people, saying the injury was due to intense over-training.
"Nagy isn't the reason behind my injury. Thank god for everything. I hope everyone stands behind the national team. It’ll need full support in the coming period," the Zamalek keeper told ON Sport TV channel late on Monday.
"I will travel to Germany on Tuesday to undergo surgery on Wednesday or Thursday. I will remain there for 10 days before returning to Egypt," he added.
Hosts Egypt reached the round of 16 as Group A winners with the maximum nine points after three successive wins over Zimbabwe, DR Congo and Uganda.
The Pharaohs will face a third placed side from Groups C, D or E on Saturday as they bid for an eighth Nations Cup crown.
"We are like one family in the national team, but sometimes heavy criticism angers the players, especially as the tournament is at home and everyone should support the team. Even if they don't like the performance,the coming period is very important.
“Playing among Egyptian fans, the players always feel under pressure from wanting to please their country and achieve their hopes.”
"Fans are always motivating us and performance will get better gradually," he concluded.
With Javier Aguirre at the helm, the Egyptians are optimistic about winning the precious title of AFCON champions for
the first time since 2010, the last of their record seven victories.
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