A profile of Egypt ahead of the African Cup of Nations - including past record, recent form and information on their players and coach.

PAST RECORD

Egypt set a record of five Cup of Nations titles when they hosted the last tournament in 2006. They will make a record-breaking 21st finals appearance in Ghana. Their previous wins came in 1957, 1959, 1986 and 1998.

RECENT FORM

Egypt have been unconvincing since their Cup triumph two years ago and in 2007 struggled to beat the likes of Botswana, Burundi and Mauritania, traditionally easy prey for the Pharaohs. Their last match against serious African opposition was a goalless draw with Ivory Coast in Paris in August in a re-match of the 2006 Cup of Nations final.

COACH

Hassan Shehata achieved in 2006 as coach what he failed as player in taking the Cup of Nations title with Egypt. He played in three tournaments during his decade-long spell in the Egyptian national team.

The 58-year-old stepped up to the national team job in November 2004, taking over from the Italian Marco Tardelli.

Shehata had previously been in charge at Cairo club Arab Contractors and also steered Egypt's under 20 team to victory at the 2003 African Youth Championships.

PLAYERS

Captain Ahmed Hassan, the Anderlecht midfielder, will make a record-equalling seventh finals appearance in Ghana. He was a scorer in the 1998 final and won the award as the best player of the final in 2006.

Egypt will likely call up a large contingent of players from champions Al Ahli, who were beaten in the 2007 African Champions League final, including highly-rated midfielder Mohamed Aboutreika.

SQUAD

Goalkeepers: Mohamed Abdelmoncef (Zamalek), Essam Al Hadari (Al Ahli), Mohamed Sobhi (Ismaili)

Defenders: Ahmed Al Muhammadi (ENPPI), Tarek El Sayed (Zamalek), Mahmoud Fathallah (ENPPI), Ahmed Fathi (Al Ahli), Wael Gomaa (Al Siliya), Sayed Moawad (Ismaili), Shady Mohamed (Al Ahli), Hani Said (Ismaili), Ibrahim Said (Ankaragucu)

Midfielders: Mohamed Aboutrika (Al Ahli), Hosni Abd Rabou (Ismaili), Ahmed Hassan (Anderlecht), Omar Gamal (Ismaili), Mohamed Shawky (Middlesbrough), Hassan Mostafa (Al Wehda, Saudi Arabia), Ahmed Shaaban (Petrojet)

Strikers: Mohamed Fadl (Ismaili), Emad Moteab (Al Ahli), Amr Zaki (Zamalek), Mohamed Zidan (Hamburg)

Reuters