In a surprising statement, the British Ambassador to Egypt has tweeted that he “hopes England becomes like Egypt”, following the Pharaohs’ defeat in the final of the African Cup of Nations.
John Casson posted the message, written in colloquial Egyptian, to his official Twitter account on Monday. It has since been retweeted more than 2,800 times.
فخور بالمنتخب المصري الواعد خاصة اللعيبة اللي نوروا الدوري الانجليزي! ياريت إنجلترا تبقى زي مصر وتوصل ماتش النهائي. المهم دلوقتي المونديال pic.twitter.com/bl0bP0agzC
— British Amb in Egypt (@FCOJohnCasson) February 6, 2017
The football-supporting diplomat wrote that “I’m proud of the promising Egyptian national team, especially the players who have graced the English Premier League.”
“I hope that England becomes like Egypt and reaches the final.”
Egypt were denied a record eighth AFCON victory last weekend after Cameroon took the tournament 2-1 with an impressive 88th minute goal.
It was Mohamed Elneny, a striker with London club Arsenal who put Egypt ahead in the first half of Sunday's match. Teammates Ahmed Elmohamady and Ramadan Sobhi also play for Premier League clubs Hull City and Stoke respectively.
“The important thing now is the World Cup,” Casson concluded his tweet, referring to Egypt’s effort to qualify for Russia 2018. The Pharaohs are currently top of their qualifying group and may well win the right to play in the tournament, a feat they have only achieved twice before.
If Casson was looking for a way to win over Egyptian hearts, complementing the national team of this football-mad country was a good way to go. Egyptians have welcomed the newest member of their match-day crowds with open arms:
@FCOJohnCasson السفير البريطاني ده بيحب مصر اكتر من السيسي و الله
— أُسّامه (@asa2iso) February 6, 2017
This British Ambassador loves Egypt more than Sisi, I swear.
@FCOJohnCasson @RamadanSobhi @22mosalah @ElNennyM @StokeCityAR
— مصرحبيبتي #حق_الشهيد (@queenperfume) February 6, 2017
شكرا يا أطيب سفير في الدنيا #سفير_أنجلترا#منتخبنا_يا_ابطال#شكرا_منتخب_مصر pic.twitter.com/vEXBRZlumx
Thank you to the best ambassador in the world.
@FCOJohnCasson @RamadanSobhi @22mosalah @ElNennyM @StokeCityAR يا اخي احا دا انته مصري اكتر مننا
— Medحat (سلطان زماني) (@accmedhatsoltan) February 6, 2017
My brother, you are more Egyptian than us!
Egyptian success in this latest tournament has served as a happy distraction from the country's economic woes, as consumer prices soar and President Sisi's public approval declines.
RA
