IF ANY Tottenham Hotspur supporters think that Mido is about to experience a few relatively quiet weeks away from the hurly-burly of the Barclays Premiership, they can think again. The Egypt forward has been welcomed home as a saviour as his country prepares to stage the African Cup of Nations, which starts today when the hosts face Libya.
A strong domestic league means that Egypt have only four foreign-based players in their 23-man squad, the fewest among the 16 teams taking part in the tournament, but Mido’s talent has led him to England. “Most of the players in the national side look up to him like an idol because he’s used to playing in one of the strongest leagues in the world,” Hassan Shehata, the Egypt coach, said. “He’s used to speed and to strength.”
Tottenham use Mido for his aerial ability alongside Robbie Keane or Jermain Defoe, two smaller forwards, but his responsibilities for his country will be wider. “It’s different,” Shehata said. “We know Mido . . . we Egyptians raised him. He is so talented at different things, he can shoot, dribble and he’s strong in the air. Why should I use him in one role when I can use his talents in so many different ways?”
Egypt won the first two editions of the African Cup of Nations, in 1957 and 1959, and most recently triumphed in 1998. They will hope to emulate Tunisia, who won the tournament two years ago as hosts. The latter will be among Africa’s five teams at this year’s World Cup — the others are Ivory Coast, Ghana, Angola and Togo — all of whom will be watched closely over the coming weeks by nations who have qualified from other continents.
The Democratic Republic of Congo, formerly Zaire, failed to reach Germany but Lomana LuaLua, the Portsmouth striker, is highly motivated to perform well in Egypt, having been sent off in the African Cup of Nations two years ago.
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“Back home it gave me a name of being arrogant and bad-tempered, which is not me,” he said. “That’s not my style. Now I have a chance to show people that that was a mistake. I didn’t go to Tunisia to spoil things.”
Mido and LuaLua are among 26 England-based players at the tournament, a figure that rose last week when Arsenal signed Emmanuel Adebayor from AS Monaco. Bolton Wanderers have lost the most players among Premiership teams, with Jay-Jay Okocha one of four players in Egypt.
The midfield player is keen to gain consolation for Nigeria’s surprising failure to qualify for the World Cup finals. “Anything less than a place in the final will be disappointing,” Okocha said. “That’s the only thing we have left. It is a chance to prove we are still one of the best teams in Africa. I was hoping I would end my international career in Germany, where I started in football, but it wasn’t meant to be.”
CUP DETAILS
GROUPS
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A
Egypt, Libya, Morocco, Ivory Coast
B
Cameroon, Angola, Togo, Democratic Republic of Congo
C
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Tunisia, Zambia, South Africa, Guinea
D
Nigeria, Ghana, Zimbabwe, Senegal
MOST WINS
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Four: Cameroon (1984, 1988, 2000, 2002); Egypt (1957, 1959, 1986, 1998); Ghana (1963, 1965, 1978, 1982).
TELEVISION
Today: Live: British Eurosport, 4.30pm: Egypt v Libya (kick-off 5pm). Highlights: BBC Three, 7-8.30pm.
Tomorrow: Live: British Eurosport, 11.45am: Morocco v Ivory Coast (kick-off noon); Cameroon v Angola (kick-off 3.15pm); Togo v Democratic Republic of Congo (kick-off 6pm). Highlights: BBC Three, 7-9.10pm.