Egyptian Football Association member and head of the national football team's crew in Gabon, Hazem El-Hawary, has said that he and the Pharaohs' technical staff would prefer the team to face Cameroon not Ghana in the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations final.
Cameroon defeated Ghana 2-0 in the semifinal on Thursday to set up a meeting with Egypt in the continental tournament's final on Sunday.
"Playing Cameroon in the Africa Cup of Nations final is better than facing Ghana," El-Hawary was quoted as saying on Egyptian sports website Filgoal.
"The technical staff also preferred to face Cameroon over Ghana," he said.
"We were hoping to face Cameroon like Egypt coach Hector Cuper because we were afraid of Ghana's revenge after losing two games to our team,"
The record-holders with seven trophies, Egypt made it to the African final after eliminating sturdy opponents Burkina Faso on Wednesday in penalty shootouts.
Egypt reached the quarterfinals after leading Group D with a goalless draw against Mali and two 1-0 wins over Uganda and Ghana. They eliminated Morocco 1-0 in the quarterfinals.
"We have to recognise that Cameroon is a tough opponent and have their motivation to beat Egypt, and they play fast football," the EFA member said.
"But we are concentrating on winning and lifting the trophy on the podium to please Egyptians," Hazem El-Hawary concluded.
