Online Reporter
WHEN Egypt took the lead against Belgium in their opening FIFA World Cup match on Monday night, decades of doubt gave way to belief for 62-year-old Bahgat Abbas.
Standing beneath the historic arcades near the Basilica in Cairo’s eastern Heliopolis district, Abbas leapt with the crowd as cups rattled across tables and the roar from television screens spilt into the street.
“I remember watching Egypt in 1990,” Abbas told AFP, waving an Egyptian flag as car horns blared around him.
“Back then, just being at the World Cup felt special. Tonight feels different. Tonight feels like we can actually achieve something.”
Egypt were ultimately held to a 1-1 draw by one of Europe’s most respected footballing nations, but the performance lifted spirits across the country and renewed belief that a near-century wait for a World Cup breakthrough may finally be within reach.
Much of that hope has centred on Mohamed Salah, Egypt’s talisman who turned 34 on Monday and may be playing his final World Cup.
“When we scored, I thought maybe this was finally our night,” Abbas said, smiling.
“Maybe next time. We’ve got a good team around Salah.”
Seven-time Africa Cup of Nations champions Egypt have never won a World Cup game. This is their fourth appearance at the tournament and, with Group G fixtures still to come against Iran and New Zealand, they will hope to break that hoodoo in North America.
At the final whistle, there was little sign of disappointment.
In Cairo’s densely populated Sharabiya district, Taha Omar said it was the first time at a World Cup he had seen Egypt do more than “just defend”.
“We played positively, against a team like Belgium, with big-name players.” — AFP Sport.
