Two days after his 44th birthday, Egypt goalkeeper Essam El Hadary is set to become the oldest player to compete at the Africa Cup of Nations finals and among the oldest internationals in soccer history.
El Hadary is playing at his seventh finals, one shy of the record held by Rigobert Song of Cameroon, and is expected to start for Egypt when they play Mali in their opening group D game in Port Gentil today.
If he does line up, El Hadary will shatter the record set by compatriot Hossam Hassan in 2006, when the feisty striker was 39 years, five months and 24 days old in his last game at the finals.
The veteran goalkeeper had been recalled to Egypt’s squad as back-up last year but promoted up the order and was first choice for their two World Cup group qualifiers against Congo and Ghana in October and November – matches they both won.
However, his place has not been confirmed in the build-up to Tuesday’s match, which will be Egypt’s first in the finals of the tournament since 2010.
“We haven’t chosen our first choice keeper yet,” goalkeeper coach Ahmed Nagy told Egyptian television at the weekend.
read more:
http://betternewsblog.com/2017/01/17/el-hadary-to-achieve-afcons-record-today/

culled from supersport.Com