In an exclusive interview, Manuel Bucane, widely known as “Tico Tico,” the former striker for Mozambique’s national team during the 2010 African Cup of Nations, shed light on the challenging encounter with Egypt’s former defender, Wael Gomaa.
Recalling the tough battle on the field during the 2010 AFCON edition, where Egypt emerged victorious with a 2-0 scoreline, Bucane expressed the difficulty of facing Wael Gomaa, describing him as a seasoned defender with imposing physicality, making it a demanding experience for any striker.
“Wael Gomaa was a strong defender, and playing against him was physically demanding; he gave me no space to execute anything, making the encounter a tough experience,” remarked Bucane in an interview with FilGoal.com.
Reflecting on Egypt’s team in 2010, which had secured back-to-back AFCON titles, he acknowledged their significant experience entering the tournament, creating a formidable force that knew how to navigate such competitions.
Despite some instances where Egypt’s performance might not have appeared dazzling, Bucane emphasized, “They had significant experience and knew exactly what to do.
Our match against Egypt was very intense.
Winning titles like the AFCON twice in a row showcases the team’s excellence.”
Discussing the current Egyptian national team, Bucane indicated that the present squad might not be as formidable as the previous generation, citing that the results suggest a team lacking the same strength.
However, he acknowledged that football is unpredictable, and the team’s performance in AFCON will ultimately reveal their capabilities.
When asked about selecting three Egyptian players he would have wanted to play alongside, he expressed the difficulty of choosing from a pool of exceptional talents.
However, he singled out Hossam Hassan for his exciting play and prolific scoring, Mohamed Aboutrika for his overall excellence, and Mohamed Salah as the current best in Egypt.
Regarding the upcoming AFCON, Bucane refrained from predicting the champion but highlighted the competitiveness among teams like Egypt, Morocco, Ghana, Nigeria, and Cameroon.
He concluded with expressing hope for Mozambique to deliver a positive result against Egypt, acknowledging the challenge but emphasizing the importance of entering the match without fear and striving for at least one point.
This insightful interview with Manuel Bucane provides a unique perspective on past encounters, the evolving dynamics of African football, and the anticipation surrounding the upcoming AFCON tournament.
