Shoky Gharib confirms North Africa qualifiers for 2010 age group will be postponed

Shoky Gharib, the Egyptian Football Association’s technical director, has confirmed that the North Africa qualifiers for the Africa Cup of Nations featuring players born in 2010 will not take place on their scheduled date.

The tournament had been due to begin on 26 September. The article identifies Morocco as the planned host, while Gharib said during a meeting with Egypt’s youth teams that the qualifiers were scheduled to be held in Tunisia on the same date.

“The qualifiers for the Africa Cup of Nations for players born in 2010 were scheduled to take place in Tunisia on 26 September, but the date will be changed in the coming period and the competition will not be held as planned,” Gharib said.

The Egyptian Football Association is currently holding a meeting with players from Egypt’s various age-group national teams.

Gharib also outlined the association’s work in developing coaches and said its different departments each had clearly defined responsibilities.

“There are several departments within the Football Association, and each department has its own specialisation,” he said.

“We have departments responsible for training and developing coaches, led by Gamal Mohamed Ali. We have managed to introduce the PRO course, which is the largest scientific course for coaches, and 26 coaches have graduated from it. There will be three courses during the next phase.”

He said coaches involved in Egyptian and African competitions should hold the highest available coaching qualifications.

“In Egyptian and African competitions, every coach must possess the highest-level coaching licences,” Gharib said. “It is not acceptable for any coach to take charge of Egypt, or even an Egyptian team, and at some point sit in the stands.”

Gharib also revealed further preparations for Egypt’s squad competing at the FIFA U-17 World Cup. The team will first take part in a friendly tournament in Switzerland on 22, before travelling to Qatar to compete in the Gulf Cup. It will then participate in the World Cup.

“The Egypt team taking part in the Under-17 World Cup will play in a friendly tournament in Switzerland on 22, then return and compete in the Gulf Cup in Qatar before taking part in the World Cup,” he said.

Gharib is currently overseeing the Egypt Olympic team on a temporary basis, alongside his responsibilities as the Football Association’s technical director.