Egypt striker Marwan Mohsen says the Pharaohs do not fear any team in the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations which kicks off in Gabon on 14 January.
"Our group in the African Cup is very difficult but Egypt is able to win the title if we made a strong start with positive results," the Ahly striker Mohsen told reports Tuesday amid the national team current training camp in Cairo.
"Egypt don't fear the big teams in the tournament especially as the current squad had previously defeated heavyweights like Nigeria and Ghana," he added.
The record seven-time African champions Egypt will take on Ghana, Mali and Uganda in Group D of the Nations Cup, which run till 5 February.
Mohsen, who recently returned to action after suffering from an injury since the season start, is expected to lead Egypt's attacking line in Gabon after the surprise omission of Zamalek's striker Bassem Morsi.
He was on target after hitting the net late to grant Egypt a 1-0 win over Tunisia in a friendly at Cairo International Stadium on Sunday amid preparations for the prestigious tournament.
"Tunisia match was the best preparation for the African Cup. The technical staff and the players are fully concentrated for the competition," the 27-year old striker said.
"I am happy to score in the friendly match, but I don't seek personal achievement."
"Egypt's absence from the African Cup in recent editions made the fans eager for restoring glories. The current squad is experienced enough to deal strongly with any circumstances during the Cup finals," he concluded.
After missing the past three editions, the Pharaohs reached the cup this year for the first time since winning their seventh title in Angola in 2010.
The Egyptian team to play Mali in their opening Group D game on 17 January.
(For more sports news and updates, follow Ahram Online Sports on Twitter at @AO_Sports and on Facebook at AhramOnlineSports)