OWN CORRESPONDENT, Kano, Nigeria | Saturday 6.30pm.
ELDER African football statesmen Hossam Hassan of Egypt and Kalusha Bwalya of Zambia will loom large over a Group C showdown between the countries on Sunday.
Hassan enters the match at the 25000-capacity Sani Abacha Stadium in the northern city with 136 official international appearances – a record for an African footballer.
Apart from brief spells in Switzerland and Greece, he has devoted his career to famous Cairo club Al-Ahly and Zambians have at least three good reasons to fear him.
He scored a hat-trick against Chipolopolo (Copper Bullets) in the 1998 edition of the biennial tournament as Egypt romped to a 4-0 victory in the fourth finals clash between the countries.
Egypt triumphed 3-1 at home in 1974 and Zambia won 1-0 in Senegal in 1992 and 3-1 in South Africa four years ago when Hassan was conspicuous by his absence.
The Pharaohs are the defending champions having scored twice with 12 minutes of the kick-off to defeat holders South Africa 2-0 in Burkina Faso and Hassan finished joint top scorer with seven goals.
Zambian stars include two German-based youngsters — defender Moses Sichone and midfielder Andrew Sinkala — and striker Dennis Lota from South African club Orlando Pirates.
Egypt seek a record fifth title against a background of coaching upheavals and modest results with a 1-0 loss away to minnows Togo this week hardly designed to inspire confidence.
French coach Gerard Gili replaced local hero Mahmoud al-Gohary after Egypt were crushed 5-1 by Saudi Arabia in the Confederations Cup and he will rely largely on those who conquered the continent two years ago. — AFP
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