Ahly and Egypt forward Emad Meteb has rubbished local reports linking him with retirement after a poor performance during Saturday's 0-1 home defeat against Senegal.

"I didn't say I would retire from international football. I still have ambitions that I could be able to give more the national team and I will do my best in attempt to please the Egyptian crowd," the 31-year-old striker stated on an Egyptian television sports programme early Sunday.

The experienced player, who was among the Pharaohs golden team who won three successive Africa Cup of Nations trophies in 2006, 2008 and 2010 under the leadership of coach Hassan Shehata, stressed that team members are still hopeful of making it to the Africa Cup finals.

"We are sticking to the last hope next Wednesday, against Tunisia, and we won't surrender," Meteb insisted.

Egypt, with only six points, needs to beat Tunisia away from home Wednesday in the last group stage qualifier to stand a chance of finishing as the best third-placed team among the seven groups, a target that looks highly unlikely.

Tunisia, on 11 points, and Senegal, on 10, have already guaranteed qualifying after Saturday's results.

Meteb played the full 90 minutes against Senegal but didn't deliver the performance expected.

The Egyptian delegation is flying Sunday to their North African neighbours.

Read the full match preview here and check how coach Gharib praised the team despite the defeat here.