Egypt's El-Hadary thrilled with international football return

Essam El-Hadary has spoken of his elation at returning to the Egyptian senior national team.

The 43-year-old had been out of the Pharaohs since November 2014, and was recalled by coach Hector Cuper to the side that will play next month's double Africa Cup of Nations qualifying matches against Nigeria.

El-Hadary, capped 148 times by the seven-time African champions has been in impressive for Wadi Degla in the Egyptian topflight and he has expressed his readiness to serve the country again.

“I am very happy to be back again and to be trained again by Ahmed Nagy in the Egyptian national team,” El-Hadary said in a televised interview.

“If they asked me to gather the balls or carry the players’ boots, I will do that immediately. It is a great honor to be back, and I am so happy with the return.”

With Sherif Ekramy injured, El-Hadary will be Cuper third-choice goalkeeper.

“I will work so hard and I will do my best. It won’t matter who starts and who plays, the most important thing is the Egyptian national team and we will do our best,” he concluded.

Egypt will face Burkina Faso in an international friendly on Saturday ahead of their game versus Nigeria in March.