H.E. President Abdel Fattah El Sisi and Dr. Ashraf Sobhy, Minister of Youth and Sports, visited the national football team while training at the Air Defense Stadium for the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) to be held in Egypt from June 21 to July 19. 

The president wished the team members good luck and success, stressing his confidence that they realize the heavy responsibility they shoulder. He urged them to exert hard efforts to please the Egyptian people who in turn pays them respect and appreciation. 

El Sisi underlined that the team members must show discipline and decent behavior as they are a reflection of Egypt’s ancient civilization and its great people.

On their side, the players thanked the President for his visit before the championship, promising him that they would exert hard effort to please the Egyptians.

The president has also checked the facilities and arrangements at the stadium whose efficiency was being raised to host the championship's matches. The president said he aspires that the championship becomes a positive push for the Egyptian sports in general, and for football in particular since the sports infrastructure has been upgraded for the AFCON matches.