Ramzy: Pressure on Egypt to win eighth title

Hany Ramzy

Tuesday Apr 16, 2019. 16:30

Egypt will be favourites to win a record-extending eighth African Cup of Nations when the 2019 tournament is hosted in the North African country later this year.

That is according to national team assistant coach and Pharaohs great, Hany Ramzy.

The hosts are expected to make relatively light work of Group A opponents DR Congo, Uganda and Zimbabwe before turning their attention to the Round of 16 in this year's expanded continental tournament.

Ramzy, who is assistant to Mexican coach Javier Aguirre, admits Egypt will be under pressure as hosts, but is confident the Pharaohs will lift the title in Cairo on the 19th of July.

"Definitely there is pressure on us because we are the record winners but I am positive," Ramzy told beIN Sports.

"We are always favourites to win the African cup but nothing in football is easy now. All teams have good players and we respect all of them. Our target is to win the title. We will take things one step at a time."

Egypt won Africa's premier competition on home soil in both 1986 and 2006.