Latest news with #Nabih
CAF
20-05-2025
- Sport
- CAF
Zubairu proud of Nigeria's bronze as Egypt boss Nabih eyes World Cup rebuild
Published: Tuesday, 20 May 2025 Nigeria's head coach Aliyu Zubairu expressed his pride in his team after they secured third place for a record-extending fifth time in the history of the TotalEnergies U20 Africa Cup of Nations. This comes after the Flying Eagles' 4-1 penalty shootout win over hosts Egypt in the third-place play-off at the TotalEnergies CAF U-20 Africa Cup of Nations. 'The match was tight. It came down to nerve and execution,' Zubairu told reporters. 'We knew Egypt would be strong at home, but my boys stayed calm. We showed maturity in the shootout.' Nigeria's run to the semi-finals had included a penalty shootout win over holders Senegal in the quarters, but their hopes of a ninth final were dashed by South Africa in the semi-final. 'We felt we were the better team in the semi-final, so this bronze means a lot. It's a statement of our consistency and potential heading into the World Cup,' Zubairu said. Both Egypt and Nigeria now turn their attention to the FIFA U-20 World Cup in Chile later this year, where they will represent Africa alongside Morocco and South Africa. Meanwhile, Egypt U-20 head coach Osama Nabih has issued a public apology to fans following his side's 4-1 penalty shootout loss to Nigeria in the third-place play-off at the TotalEnergies CAF U-20 Africa Cup of Nations Egypt 2025. The hosts were left heartbroken at the 30 June Stadium in Cairo after a 1-1 draw in regulation time ended in disappointment from the spot, denying the Pharaohs a place on the podium. 'We reached one of our key objectives by qualifying for the FIFA U-20 World Cup in Chile,' Nabih said in the post-match press conference. 'But I must apologise to the Egyptian fans for not securing a medal in front of our home crowd.' Egypt had taken the lead early through Osama Omar but were pegged back in the second half by Nigeria's Bidemi Amole. The match went to penalties, where the Pharaohs missed three of their four attempts, sealing their fate. Nabih highlighted the challenges his team faced, including key absentees. 'We were without nine influential players due to injury and fatigue. These boys gave everything, and I thank them for their courage in very difficult conditions,' he added. The 48-year-old coach, who took over the side just weeks before the tournament, praised the backing from the Egyptian Football Association and national team coach Hossam Hassan, calling their support 'instrumental to our progress.' Egypt's campaign saw them reach the semi-finals with a dramatic penalty shootout win over Ghana, before a narrow 1-0 defeat to Morocco ended their title dreams. It was their first appearance in the last four since 2011. Despite the bronze medal setback, Nabih insisted preparations for the U-20 World Cup must begin immediately. 'We have just three months before Chile. This experience will harden us. We must focus and regroup,' he said.
CAF
16-05-2025
- Sport
- CAF
'Only 27 days in charge' - Egypt U20 coach Nabih praises team despite semi-final loss
Published: Friday, 16 May 2025 Egypt U-20 coach Osama Nabih says his team can hold their heads high despite falling 1-0 to Morocco in the semi-finals of the TotalEnergies CAF U-20 Africa Cup of Nations 2025. Playing in front of a passionate home crowd at the Air Defense Stadium in Cairo on Thursday night, the Young Pharaohs were narrowly edged out by a Moroccan side widely regarded as one of the most prepared and tactically astute teams in the tournament. But Nabih, who took over the reins of the squad just 27 days before the tournament began, believes his side played their best football of the competition against the Atlas Cubs. 'I took over the responsibility only 27 days ago, and we played our best match of the tournament against a Morocco team that has been preparing for four years,' Nabih said during the post-match press conference. Egypt were undone by a single goal in the second half, ending their hopes of contesting the final on home soil. However, the host nation had already secured qualification for the FIFA U-20 World Cup in Chile by reaching the semi-finals. 'I want to thank the players for their great effort. We had an extra game in the group stage and beat Ghana in the quarter-finals after extra time. The boys gave everything,' Nabih added. Egypt's journey to the last four was anything but smooth. They finished third in Group A — tied on seven points with South Africa and Sierra Leone — but edged through as one of the best third-placed teams. The team then overcame Ghana in a dramatic quarter-final clash that ended 2-2 after extra time before winning 5-4 on penalties. Nabih was quick to challenge the suggestion that Egypt's qualification from the group stage had been fortunate. 'We didn't qualify with difficulty. We got seven points, just like the group leaders South Africa and Sierra Leone. People shouldn't underestimate this achievement,' he said firmly. The Egyptian coach also highlighted the challenges his side faced in rebuilding quickly after multiple coaching changes in the build-up to the tournament. 'This team has gone through three coaching changes. I came in and worked on our defensive shape, and the players delivered. I'm proud of them,' he said. Egypt will now regroup for Sunday's third-place playoff, where they will face Nigeria, also at the Air Defense Stadium. The tournament final between Morocco and South Africa will follow later that evening at Cairo International Stadium. While the dream of lifting the continental trophy has ended, Nabih insists his team will finish strong. 'We'll do everything to give the fans something to celebrate. The journey may not have ended the way we hoped, but we have shown resilience, and I trust the boys to finish on a high.'
CAF
14-05-2025
- Sport
- CAF
Egypt coach Nabih eyes U-20 AFCON title after World Cup qualification
Published: Tuesday, 13 May 2025 Egypt U-20 coach Osama Nabih says his side will 'fight with all our might' to win the TotalEnergies CAF U-20 Africa Cup of Nations, after securing a dramatic World Cup qualification with victory over Ghana in the quarter-finals. The Pharaohs edged past the Black Satellites in a thrilling contest that ended 2-2 after extra time, before prevailing 5-4 in a tense penalty shootout in Suez on Monday night. The result not only sealed a place in the semi-finals but also booked Egypt's ticket to the FIFA U-20 World Cup in Chile later this year. 'Securing a World Cup ticket is the first part of our dream,' said Nabih. 'Now we will defend it with all our might, regardless of the obstacles.' Egypt's path to the last four has been far from smooth. A shock 4-1 defeat to Sierra Leone in the group stage had put their campaign on the brink. But the young Pharaohs responded with grit, regrouping to qualify as one of the best third-placed teams before knocking out one of the tournament's most consistent sides in Ghana. 'We faced difficult moments in many forms,' Nabih admitted. 'After the loss to Sierra Leone, it required heroes. And our players proved they are warriors. They showed they were the most deserving of that World Cup ticket.' The Egypt coach also praised those who have stood behind the team during its rollercoaster journey, including Minister of Youth and Sports Ashraf Sobhi, Egyptian FA president Hany Abo Rida, and the home fans who have turned out in numbers to back the team. 'I am very grateful to the champion players who honoured their country. A special salute goes to the great Egyptian fans,' Nabih said. Egypt now face a North African derby against Morocco in the semi-finals on Thursday at the Air Defense Stadium in Cairo. The Atlas Lions progressed after edging Sierra Leone 1-0 in extra time. 'Morocco is a brotherly nation, but they stand in our path to the final,' said Nabih. 'We respect them, but we will give everything to reach the final and win this title. The journey is shorter now, but also more difficult.' With the home crowd behind them and momentum on their side, Egypt are daring to dream again.
CAF
11-05-2025
- Sport
- CAF
Nabih rallies Young Pharaohs for Ghana clash: 'We're playing for the pride of Egypt'
Published: Sunday, 11 May 2025 Under mounting pressure and fatigue, Egypt U20 coach Osama Nabih has rallied his Young Pharaohs ahead of Monday's high-stakes quarter-final against Ghana at the TotalEnergies CAF U20 Africa Cup of Nations Egypt 2025, declaring that team spirit and national pride will carry them through. Speaking at a tense pre-match press conference, Nabih acknowledged the tough road his squad has travelled so far, playing four matches in the group stage and navigating through a series of injuries and fatigue. Yet despite the setbacks, his message was clear: Egypt will not go down without a fight. 'We are going through difficult circumstances due to injuries and fatigue,' Nabih admitted. 'But we are armed with a fighting spirit and are determined to make the fans happy.' Egypt only narrowly secured their place in the quarter-finals, qualifying as one of the best third-placed teams. But for Nabih, that struggle has forged the unity and resolve needed for what he called a "dual dream": qualifying for the FIFA U20 World Cup and challenging for the continental crown. 'Advancing through the group stage was a significant psychological burden,' the coach added. 'Now the optimism in our camp is high. The boys know what's at stake. This match is a final to us.' Egypt face a Ghanaian side that topped Group C without conceding a goal. The Black Satellites, fresh off a 1-0 win over defending champions Senegal and a composed victory over Central African Republic, enter the match with confidence and fresher legs—having played just three group games and enjoyed an extra day's rest. Nabih, however, refused to make excuses. 'Yes, Ghana are strong. Yes, they've had more rest. But we are Egypt. My players are fully aware of the challenge and are ready to defend our dream,' he declared. 'We ask the fans to stand behind us in this national mission.' Captain Ahmed Khaled "Kabaka" echoed his coach's determination, calling Monday's clash a 'life-or-death' moment. 'We all consider the Ghana match as make or break,' Kabaka said. 'Everyone knows how tough this game will be, but we are counting on our strength of character. We want to put a smile on the faces of Egyptians.' Egypt's preparation continued with a final session in Ismailia before the squad travelled to Suez on Sunday morning. The atmosphere, according to team insiders, is one of controlled intensity—a squad battered but not broken, aware of the odds yet buoyed by the opportunity. Kick-off is at 18:00 local time (15:00 GMT) at the New Suez Stadium. For Egypt, it's not just a quarter-final. It's a moment of reckoning, a chance to turn adversity into triumph in front of their home fans.
Al Manar
30-04-2025
- Politics
- Al Manar
Speaker Berri Calls on US to Compel ‘Israel' to Immediately Implement Ceasefire Agreement
House Speaker Nabih met on Wednesday with the head of the committee monitoring ceasefire in Lebanon General Jesper Jeffers and the full-time senior U.S. military leader in Beirut, Major General Michael Leeney, in presence of the US Ambassador Lisa Johnson and the parliament chief's media advisor Ali Hamdan. The meeting tackled the security situation in South Lebanon amid the ongoing Israeli attacks and violations of Lebanon's sovereignty in addition to the ceasefire agreement. Speaker Berri highlighted, during the meeting, that the Israeli enemy is persistently violating the ceasefire and insisting on its occupation of posts in South Lebanon which undermines Lebanon's stability, recovery, reform and sovereignty, 'while the Lebanese state has observed all the deal's stipulations'. The House Speaker called on the United States of America to work to compel 'Israel' to immediately implement the agreement aimed at applying Resolution 1701. In turn, General Lenny confirmed that 'the committee will begin regular meetings to follow up on the situation.'
