Egypt's soccer team's winning of Africa's Cup of Nations last week was really an event of major national significance that remarkably helped in boosting the Egyptians' sense of pride and love for their homeland, in spite of ceaseless attempts by certain quarters to instill a sense of desperation and frustration among them.

Soon after Egypt beat the Cameroonian team, millions of Egyptians inside and outside the country, took to the streets, to express their jubilation at the long-awaited victory.

Yes, some quarters did try over the past few years to sow the seeds of despair and frustration among Egyptians and used satellite channels and newspapers to propagate their false theories about the collapse of everything and to deepen a sense of hopelessness.

Although Egypt won Africa's Cup of Nations five times before, victory this time was of a special and different taste as it dissipated a sense of frustration that has been fanned by certain circles and individuals who desperately tried to belittle the achievements accomplished in the country under the leadership of President Hosni Mubarak.

In fact President Mubarak is the leader who regained to Egypt its national pride and dignity.

Under Mubarak's leaderships achievements and reforms have taken place in all walks of life. The freedom of the press and the freedom of expression have been promoted. However, some circles and individuals still talk only about suppress of freedoms, inheritance of power, corruption and sit-in strikes as if there is nothing positive at all.

By: Abdallah Hassan
Akhbar Al Youm
16/2/2008