Two-time African Nations Cup winner Mohamed Zidan believes Egypt can overtake Ghana in the World Cup playoff despite the latter’s progression over the past few years.

“Ghana has progressed a lot since 2008 and 2010. They became a very solid team and we must be very careful against them,” the former Pharaohs striker told a Sports TV program on Thursday.

The 32-year old striker inspired Egypt to African titles in 2008 and 2010. He set up Mohamed Nagy “Gedo” to score the winner against Ghana 1-0 in the final of the 2010 Nations Cup in Angola..

The Black Stars went on to match Cameroon and Senegal as Africa’s best ever performers in the World Cup after reaching the quarterfinals in 2010.

Players like Asamoah Gyan, Kevin-Prince Boateng, Kwadwo Asamoah and Andre Ayew have developed into world-class players.

“However our team is better experienced and knows how to deal with different kind of opponents and situations. We need to get a positive result in Kumasi to make our mission easier back home. I am very confident the team and coach can achieve our target,” he added.

The former Dortmund, Mainz and Hamburg player has been dropped out of the team since June 2012 after skipping a team camp.

Zidan has been on the sidelines since January struggling with injuries with his current Emirati team Bani Yas.

Egypt will play Ghana in a two-legged tie on 15 October in Kumasi and 19 November in Cairo.

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