Egyptian national team captain Wael Gomaa (Photo: Reuters)
Ahly captain defender Wael Gomaa revealed Thursday that he and his teammates have resolved to forget the humiliating 6-1 defeat to Ghana in the 2014 World Cup playoff, as they are eager to focus on the second leg of the CAF Champions League semi-final against Coton Sport on Sunday.
"It was not our day; we should just turn this page and focus on the Coton Sport game," Gomaa said on Ahly's official website.
The title holders are favourites to reach the CAF Champions League final for the second consecutive year after holding Coton to a 1-1 draw in Garoua in the first leg.
Ahly, who are bidding for their eighth Champions League title, will host Coton Sport at Hurghada's Al-Gouna Stadium on 20 October, five days after Egypt's 6-1 loss to Ghana in the 2014 World Cup qualifiers.
"Ahly players are experienced enough to forget Ghana's loss and concentrate on the coming mission against Coton Sport," the captain concluded.
Gomaa denies international retirement
The 38-year-old defender has rubbished reports that he will retire from international football after failing to reach the 2014 World Cup.
"My retirement from international football is just rumours; I am the only one with the prerogative for this decision," Gomaa stated.
Although the Pharaohs are yet to host Ghana in the second leg of the World Cup qualifiers playoff on 19 November, reports in the Egyptian media had claimed that most of Ahly's players would retire from international football after the humiliating 6-1 defeat to Ghana in the first leg which shattered their hopes of reaching Brazil.
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