Egypt target World Cup slot

WHILE winning the upcoming Caf U-17 tournament would be a great feat, 1997 champions Egypt are concentrating their efforts at reaching the last four. The North Africans who jetted in on Monday have made it clear that their primary objective is to qualify for the 2011 Fifa U-17 World Cup in Mexico.

Tuesday, January 04, 2011

WHILE winning the upcoming Caf U-17 tournament would be a great feat, 1997 champions Egypt are concentrating their efforts at reaching the last four.

The North Africans who jetted in on Monday have made it clear that their primary objective is to qualify for the 2011 Fifa U-17 World Cup in Mexico.

Moments after touching down at Kigali International airport, Egypt’s assistant coach Tamer Abdel Hamid told Times Sport that their target was to qualify for the World Cup.

"Of course we want to win the tournament but our priority is to qualify for the World Cup which literally means reaching the semi-finals,” he said before adding, "We have prepared well and should have a good tournament.”

Egypt is drawn in Group A alongside Senegal, Burkina Faso and hosts Rwanda and opens her campaign on Saturday against Senegal.  The North Africans will then play Rwanda on January 11 at Nyamirambo’s regional stadium before winding up their campaign against Burkina Faso on January 14.

Egypt, Senegal and Burkina Faso are all camped at La Palisse hotel while the Junior Wasps are residing at Belvedere hotel.

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