Ousted President Mubarak says Egypt can bounce back against Ghana

Ousted President Hosni Mubarak said Egypt can bounce back from a heavy first leg 1-6 defeat when they play against Ghana on Nov. 19 in the second leg of the World Cup qualifying playoff, Al Arabiya television reported on Thursday, quoting former Egyptian football player Mustapha Younes.

Younes spoke to Al Arabiya after he met with Mubarak, who is under house arrest since he was released from prison in August.

“I told him it is difficult for us to win Ghana here, but he told me there is nothing difficult for the Egyptian people and there is nothing impossible and hopefully our players...will bring smiles to the Egyptian people,” Younes said.

“I explained to him that the situation of Egypt’s football team has changed from when captain Hassan Shihata was in charge of the players and when our team was strong,” Younes told Al Arabiya.

Younes said Mubarak is keeping up with the Egyptian football “despite the situation he is going through.” Ghana has urged FIFA to reconsider its decision to allow the second leg match to take place in Egypt citing security concerns.

The country has been in turmoil since the ouster of President Mohammad Mursi on July 3.