Egyptian defender Hossam Abdelmaguid expressed his immense pride in representing his country at the upcoming Men’s Olympic Football Tournament in Paris 2024, where Egypt is aiming for their first-ever Olympic medal. Having secured their place by finishing second in the U-23 Africa Cup of Nations, Egypt’s qualification reflects their strong team unity and determination.
Abdelmaguid acknowledged the historical significance of Egypt’s extensive participation in Olympic football, viewing it as the second most prestigious tournament after the World Cup. Despite the pressure of high expectations, he emphasized that their past successes have only fueled their motivation to achieve more on the international stage.
Reflecting on Egypt’s challenging group opponents – Spain, Dominican Republic, and Uzbekistan – Abdelmaguid highlighted the strength of each team, noting Uzbekistan’s underrated status and Dominican Republic’s impressive qualification. With Spain’s formidable reputation, he stressed the importance of respect and determination to advance to the knockout stages.
Looking ahead, Abdelmaguid expressed his personal ambition to eventually join Egypt’s senior national team and contribute to their qualification for the FIFA World Cup 2026. Despite missing out on recent tournaments due to injury, he credits his resurgence at Zamalek to the support of teammates and coaching staff, aiming to maintain his form and lead the team to further success in domestic and continental competitions.
Having played a pivotal role in Zamalek’s triumph in the 2024 CAF Confederation Cup, Abdelmaguid cherished the experience of winning a continental title amidst fervent support at Cairo Stadium. He highlighted the club’s renewed stability as crucial to their recent achievements, relishing the joyous celebrations that followed their hard-earned victory.
Abdelmaguid’s journey embodies resilience and determination, both on the national and club levels, as he continues to strive for excellence in his football career.
