El-Hadary hoping to make history at AFCON 2019

Egypt's goalkeeper Essam El-Hadary attends his team's training session

Tuesday Jan 29, 2019. 12:00

Egypt goalkeeping legend Essam El-Hadary has stated his desire to make a return to international football at the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations.

The 46-year-old, who announced his retirement following the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia where he became the oldest ever player to feature in the tournament, has been caped 159 times by the Pharaohs since making his debut 23 years ago.

El-Hadary now hopes to break more records at the upcoming continental showpiece set to be hosted in Egypt.

“My ultimate goal is to be Egypt’s goalkeeper in the coming Africa Cup of Nations,” the shot-stopper said on his official Facebook page.

The former Al-Ahly goal-minder has played in seven previous AFCON tournaments, one shy of the record jointly held by fellow countryman Ahmed Hassan and Cameroon great Rigobert Song.

El-Hadary is already the oldest player ever to feature at an African showpiece, having started in goal in the North African's defeat to the Indomitable Lions in the final of the most recent showpiece in Gabon.

The Egyptian great recently joined Nogoom FC on a free transfer after leaving Ismaily.