File photo: Egyptian fans cheer for their national team in the Ombaka stadium in Benguela on January 28, 2010 (Photo: AFP)
The Egyptian national team coaching staff is still optimistic that authorities will allow fans to attendant their upcoming continental qualifiers.
“We are still hopeful that we can have the support of Egyptian football fans at our next matches,” assistant coach Dia’a El-Sayed told Ahram Online.
The winners of seven African Cup of Nations (CAN) trophies face difficult continental qualifiers for the 2013 CAN and the 2014 World Cup.
Egypt kicks off their campaign against Mozambique on 1 June, before travelling to Guinea a week later. They will take on the Central African Republic in a two-legged tie in the CAN 2013 qualifiers on 17 and 30 June.
“Winning the Mozambique match is very important because it will give us good momentum at the beginning of the race,” El-Sayed insisted.
“We are really hoping to make it to the World Cup to please the fans and to end the 24-year absence,” he added.
All domestic football competitions were cancelled after the Port Said disaster on 1 February that left more than 70 people dead at a match between Ahly and Masry.
“Fans support affects the team like magic and we are sure the authorities will not abandon us,” El-Sayed concluded.
The Pharaohs fly to Lebanon Wednesday night for a training camp.
(For more sports news and updates, follow Ahram Online Sports on Twitter: @AO Sports)
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