Hassan To Set New Record

Ahmed Hassan has been a stalwart for Egypt over the years

January 24, 2010

Egypt captain Ahmed Hassan will set a new record as Africa's most capped international when the defending champions meet Cameroon in the African Nations Cup quarter-final in Benguela on Monday.

It marks the 170th cap for the 34-year-old midfielder, who has already won three Nations Cup titles and remains the driving force behind his team from his busy role in the midfield.

He breaks the record held by compatriot Hossam Hassan, a former team mate.

"It is a great honour for me to break the record. It has always been an honour to be called up and to wear the national jersey. I'm very happy and proud," he said.

Hassan made his national team debut in 1995, first picked by Dutch coach Ruud Krol, and was selected for the 1996 Nations Cup finals in South Africa but did not play.

He has played at seven successive tournaments since, scoring in the final when Egypt beat South Africa in Ouagadougou in 1998.

"That would be the game that was the turning point for me but I'm happy to have played a lot of matches and had a lot of highlights."

He was named player of the tournament when Egypt won the Nations Cup in 2006 and was influential again in their triumph in Ghana two years ago.

But for all his success on the contingent, which also includes an African Champions League medal with Cairo club Al Ahli, Hassan has not managed to make it to the World Cup finals.

Egypt were knocked out of the 2010 finals in South Africa after losing a tempestuous play-off to Algeria in November.

"That was exceedingly disappointing and was probably my last chance to go to the World Cup game," Hassan said. "But to be a three time African champions is probably better than playing a single match at the World Cup."

Hassan has no plans to stop his international career after the tournament in Angola, where the Pharaohs are seeking an unprecedented third successive title.

Egypt play England at Wembley in March and European champions Spain in June and Hassan said: "As long as the national team needs me and as long as I can add something to the team, I will be available."