Egypt's Sisi turns to soccer to score political goal
Though a cynical view holds that Cairo was using the national soccer team as a way to distract the people from their country's challenges, its support for Egypt's team at the Africa Cup of Nations has helped rally Egyptians together.
President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi greeted the Egyptian national soccer team at the Cairo International Airport upon its arrival from Gabon, where it placed second in the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), losing to Cameroon.
“Please keep your heads held high. We salute you. You made Egypt and the Arab nation proud,” Sisi said as he received the team Feb. 6.
After missing three AFCON championships in a row, the Egyptian national soccer team finally managed to qualify this year. The team flew to Gabon on Jan. 13 to take part in the 31st AFCON that kicked off Jan. 14, and made it to the finals after beating the teams of Ghana, Morocco and Burkina Faso before ultimately losing to Cameroon 1-2.
Sisi followed the competition, which is held every two years, with much interest. He appeared in photos cheering for the Egyptian team while it played against Ghana Jan. 25, staying at a hotel in Aswan governorate during the match. He also sent a congratulatory message to the soccer team upon its win against Burkina Faso in the semifinals Feb. 1.
