Egyptian Sports Minister Joher Nabil has intervened to resolve the crisis surrounding the national team, according to Mohamed El-Shazly, spokesperson for the Ministry of Youth and Sports. The minister's intervention comes after the team's return from South Sudan, where they played a match in the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers. El-Shazly stated that the minister had been in touch with Hani Abu Reida, the Egyptian Football Association president, and the team's technical staff.
The national team is set to face South Sudan in the second round of the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers. The team currently sits in Group Two, alongside Angola, South Sudan, and Malawi. Egypt's first match against Angola ended in a goalless draw. The 2027 Africa Cup of Nations is scheduled to take place in Tanzania, Kenya, and Uganda in June 2027.
El-Shazly revealed that Minister Nabil had expressed his concern about the team's travel to South Sudan and their performance in the match. The minister emphasized the importance of stability within the team, citing their achievement in the 2022 World Cup, where they reached the round of 16. El-Shazly added that the minister had spoken with the team's technical staff and Hani Abu Reida to ensure a smooth and peaceful match against South Sudan.
The spokesperson for the Ministry of Youth and Sports stated that the minister's intervention aimed to reduce tension and promote stability within the team. El-Shazly emphasized that the ministry is aware of the team's significance as a source of pride for the Egyptian people and is working to restore balance and calmness to the team. The minister has invited all parties involved, including the Egyptian Football Association, the Premier League, and the Egyptian Professional Footballers Association, to work together to resolve the crisis.
El-Shazly confirmed that Minister Nabil will maintain communication with Mohamed Salah, the team's captain, who is a prominent figure in Egyptian sports. The minister's communication with Salah will not be limited to resolving the crisis but will also be a regular occurrence, given Salah's importance to the team. El-Shazly added that the minister's communication with the team was facilitated through Hani Abu Reida, rather than directly with the technical staff.
The Egyptian team has arrived in South Sudan, and according to El-Shazly, the atmosphere is calm and peaceful. The team is preparing to face South Sudan in the second round of the qualifiers, and El-Shazly assured that the crisis has not affected the team's readiness for the match. The match is scheduled to take place on Tuesday at 3:00 PM local time.
The intervention by Minister Nabil aims to bring stability back to the team and ensure their optimal performance in the upcoming matches. The minister's efforts will focus on resolving the crisis and promoting a positive atmosphere within the team. Key points include:
Key points
- The Egyptian Sports Minister has intervened to resolve the national team's crisis.
- The team is set to face South Sudan in the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.
- The minister will maintain communication with Mohamed Salah, the team's captain.
