Egypt team spirit will prove crucial says coach

By Mark Gleeson

ACCRA (Reuters) - Egypt's team spirit will give them edge when they face Cameroon's Indomitable Lions in the African Nations Cup final on Sunday, coach Hassan Shehata said.

"We have a side that plays for each other and maybe even for me as coach," the former international said on Saturday.

"I think there is an understanding that we have, a special bond. I think we will win," added Shehata, who is seeking to become only the second coach to win successive Nations Cups.

Shehata, who has spoken rarely at the tournament, leaving interviews to his assistant Shawky Gharib, said he would not sleep the night before the final at the Ohene Dan stadium.

"I never sleep the night before the game. I have hardly slept at all this tournament. Not even pills help me."

Asked whether he felt his team was better than the side which won the title at home two years ago, Shehata said that was for the critics to decide. "That is not up to me."

But Egypt captain Ahmed Hassan said he believed Egypt's quality had improved since their success in Cairo where they beat Ivory Coast on penalties.

"This team is better than that of 2006. The players have matured and gained much more experience," he said.