CAIRO - Midfielder Ahmed Hassan was poised to become the most capped international in world football last night when he was set to make his 179th appearance for Egypt against Niger in a friendly in Doha, Qatar.
The 36-year-old, who made his national team debut at 20 in 1995, drew level with Saudi Arabia goalkeeper Mohamed Al Deayea in November when he came on as a second-half substitute against Brazil, also in Doha.
Hassan might have claimed the record on Monday when Egypt were scheduled to meet Kenya in a friendly in Doha. But the Kenyans sent an under-23 side to the fixture, while their senior side remained in Nairobi for an African Nations Cup qualifier, rendering the 5-0 win for Egypt no more than a training session.
Hassan has been given every opportunity to chase the record over the past 12 months. His club Zamalek excused him from an African Champions League tie this weekend so he could earn more international caps. Last year when Egypt decided to use two dead rubbers in the Nations Cup qualifiers to blood youngsters, Hassan was the only senior player kept in the side.
Egypt were supposed to play in the 2013 Nations Cup qualifiers yesterday but were granted a postponement after 74 fans were killed at Port Said stadium on February 1.
Hassan set to be most-capped player
CAIRO - Midfielder Ahmed Hassan was poised to become the most capped international in world football last night when he was set to make his 179th appearance for Egypt against Niger in a friendly in Doha, Qatar.
The 36-year-old, who made his national team debut at 20 in 1995, drew level with Saudi Arabia goalkeeper Mohamed Al Deayea in November when he came on as a second-half substitute against Brazil, also in Doha.
Hassan might have claimed the record on Monday when Egypt were scheduled to meet Kenya in a friendly in Doha. But the Kenyans sent an under-23 side to the fixture, while their senior side remained in Nairobi for an African Nations Cup qualifier, rendering the 5-0 win for Egypt no more than a training session.
Hassan has been given every opportunity to chase the record over the past 12 months. His club Zamalek excused him from an African Champions League tie this weekend so he could earn more international caps. Last year when Egypt decided to use two dead rubbers in the Nations Cup qualifiers to blood youngsters, Hassan was the only senior player kept in the side.
Egypt were supposed to play in the 2013 Nations Cup qualifiers yesterday but were granted a postponement after 74 fans were killed at Port Said stadium on February 1.
Would you like to comment on this article?
Register (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Trending
Latest Videos