Egyptian right-back Yasser Radwan was a winner in 1998 and he thinks the Pharaohs can make it to the semi-finals this time around.

In a corner of a Bamako hotel Yasser Radwan is politely accepting
congratulations for his part in Egypt's victory over Tunisia in the 2002
Nations Cup. Every now and then his face creases into a shy, boyish smile and his eyes light up, Bambi wide.

Radwan has good reason to be pleased, and not just because Egypt won. His form is as sound as ever, and one galloping run up the right flank was punctuated by a tremendous drive, which cannoned off the right-hand upright.

When it came to analyzing his own form he is content to simply acknowledge that he is playing well. What is important is the team game.

"I am happy today. We now have three points and another three points against Zambia will ensure our qualification for the quarter-finals."

It's been eight years known that Radwan's hunched, overlapping runs have been a fixture in the Egyptian team. There are no surprises when he nominates both his best moment in football and the best Egyptian team he played with.

"Four years ago we were the champions in Burkina Faso. It was easily the best thing to happen to me in my career."

"This time I think Egypt can reach the semi-finals."

Radwan was also a member of the African team at the 1997 Europe -Africa All Star game in Lisbon where his overlapping runs were a feature of an atrociously wet night.

With a thirtieth birthday approaching soon (April 2002), Radwan finds
himself winding his career down. He started his career with Beladiet
Mehalla, but the last six seasons have been spent in Germany with Hansa Rostock. At the end of the Bundesliga season, he returns to Egypt.

"I'm going to Al Ahly to end my career. That is where I will finish my
playing."

Africansport thinks there is a lot more to come.