Egypt's Historic AFCON Bid Meets Rising African Football Tide

Egyptian midfielder Emam Ashour says African football has dramatically improved. He credits the rise in professional players and top coaches across the continent. Ashour believes this shift has made tournaments like the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) more competitive. His comments come as Egypt's national team prepares to chase a record-extending eighth championship title. The growth means traditional powerhouses like Egypt can no longer expect easy matches. Every team at AFCON now poses a significant technical challenge, according to the player.