When Mohamed Salah leads Egypt into the Africa Cup of Nations subsequent month, The Pharaohs will likely be striving for a record-lengthening eighth continental crown.
It's a fairly astonishing document, with three of these seven titles coming consecutively throughout a historic and fanciful four-year interval.
Beating all that got here earlier than them, Egypt received three consecutive AFCONs towards all the percentages and, as we stay up for the 2021 version in Cameroon, Sportsmail takes you thru how the North African nation achieved sustained success past their wildest desires.
2006 - EGYPT'S RUN TO THE TITLE
SFs: W 2-1 vs Senegal
The yr Egypt hosted the competitors led to a singular alternative for a largely unknown group of gamers.
Out of the 23-man squad, solely three performed outdoors of their homeland, considered one of which was Tottenham Hotspur ahead Mido, who was undoubtedly his nation's star man heading into the competitors.
Besiktas midfielder Ahmed Hassan - who would go on to be Egypt's record-caps holder with an astonishing 184 appearances for his nation - was additionally within the squad, as was striker Amr Zaki who was two years away from a mortgage transfer to Wigan.
Each Mido and Hassan have been on the score-sheet within the opening sport of the competitors - a 3-0 win towards Libya - earlier than a draw versus Morocco and spectacular victory over the Ivory Coast meant the hosts completed high of Group A.
Egypt then dominated their quarter-final, beating DR Congo 4-1 in Cairo earlier than a Zaki aim 9 minutes from time despatched them to the ultimate by way of a 2-1 overcome a Senegal aspect who had reached the quarter-finals of the World Cup 4 years beforehand.
However this sport was not with out controversy among the many residence nation.
Star participant Mido was engulfed in a row with coach Hassan Shehata, after being substituted for match-winner Zaki. The pair made up a day later, however the Spurs striker was handed a six-month ban from enjoying for his nation, and would miss the event showpiece three days later.
Within the closing, in entrance of 80,000 folks on the Cairo Worldwide Stadium, laid in wait Ivory Coast as soon as once more, the favourites for the event.
With captain Didier Drogba, Yaya and Kolo Toure , Emmanuel Eboue and Arouna Kone among the many worldwide stars representing The Elephants, the guests have been the favourites amid a fever-pitch environment within the Egyptian capital.
The competition, ultimately, was a little bit of a humid squib, ending goalless. Cue Egypt keeper Essam El Hadary's time to shine, saving first up from Drogba after which from Good winger Bakari Kone.
Finally, it was Mohamed Aboutrika who slotted residence the successful penalty, triggering jubilant scenes throughout the nation.
It was Egypt's fifth triumph. Little did anybody know, nevertheless, that this was simply the beginning.
2008 - EGYPT'S RUN TO THE TITLE
QFs: W 2-1 vs Angola
Remaining: W 1-0 vs Cameroon
Two years later, the event was held in Ghana and defending champions Egypt have been drawn in a gaggle with Cameroon, Zambia and Sudan.
The Pharaohs have been this time with out Mido - absent by harm - in addition to Tottenham winger Hossam Ghaly, as he targeted on a mortgage spell at Derby.
Nevertheless, 12 of the gamers who have been a part of the 2006 squad have been concerned this time spherical, together with Participant of the '06 Event Ahmed Hassan, who was enjoying in a record-equalling seventh event.
Regardless of a Samuel Eto'o double, Egypt beat Cameroon of their event opener by 4 targets to 2, whereas a 3-0 win towards Sudan paved their passage to the quarter-finals once more, no matter a 1-1 draw towards Zambia of their closing group sport.
Within the final eight, they defeated Angola 2-1 in Kumasi, whereas the semi-finals triggered a rematch of the 2006 closing towards the Ivory Coast.
However regardless of a number of stars on the opposition staff once more - together with Chelsea's Salomon Kalou this time - Egypt got here out on high as soon as extra by 4 targets to 1, Zaki netting twice.
And so to the ultimate and, in stark similarity to their run two years earlier, their opposition was a staff they'd already performed within the competitors in Cameroon.
This time, although, it wasn't settled by penalties.
But one factor was related: the match-winner. Aboutrika - who netted the successful penalty within the shoot-out in 2006 - scored the winner with 13 minutes remaining with a composed end after sensible work by Mohamed Zidan.
Once more, the Egyptians had upset the percentages. A staff with the likes of Eto'o, Geremi and Alex Music couldn't discover a well past the Egypt defence.
Attacking midfielder Hosny Abd Rabo received the Participant of the Event Award after scoring 4 targets - the identical complete as team-mates Aboutrika and Zaki.
A historic double. Egypt had reached the continental pinnacle and defended their crown.
Disappointment was to come back, although.
2010 - EGYPT'S RUN TO THE TITLE
SFs: W 4-0 vs Algeria
Remaining: W 1-0 vs Ghana
A yr the place the spotlight was undoubtedly South Africa's internet hosting of the World Cup - the primary ever to be held in Africa - began with the Africa Cup of Nations, this time in Angola.
But two months earlier, in November 2009, the AFCON holders have been concerned in essentially the most unlikely of situations.
Within the closing spherical of the CAF qualification course of for the World Cup, Algeria and Egypt completed with an an identical group document.
As such, a tie-break play-off was held in impartial Sudan. Earlier video games between the North African rivalries had concerned violence, such was the choice to host this most of essential matches on impartial territory.
The actual shock got here on the pitch although.
Algeria's Antar Yahia scored the winner within the fortieth minute, which means the AFCON holders wouldn't be on the Biggest Present on Earth come the summer time.
After the lack of the match, the Egyptian Soccer Affiliation (EFA) filed a grievance with FIFA towards the Algerian soccer delegation, citing: 'Egyptian followers, officers and gamers put their lives in danger earlier than and after the sport, below menace from weapons, knives, swords and flares,'
The grievance was closed by FIFA in Might.
However, Egypt took their place at AFCON in January with some extent to show. The best staff in Africa weren't going to be on the World Cup - however they weren't about to surrender their title.
Egypt stormed by their group, beating Nigeria. Mozambique and Benin with a goal-difference of +6.
They have been then drawn towards the may of Cameroon, once more, within the quarters, however got here by 3-1 after extra-time.
However then got here the true grudge match.
Algeria. For a spot within the closing. And what did Egypt do? They thrashed them, 4-0. Revenge is a dish finest served chilly.
By now, you know the way this story goes. Egypt beat Asamoah Gyan's Ghana - who have been months later one kick away from reaching the World Cup semi-finals 1-0 within the closing in Ludana, with Mohamed Nagy (who'd later transfer to Hull Metropolis) scoring the winner with 5 minutes remaining.
It was executed. An unprecedented three AFCON titles in a row. By no means executed earlier than. By no means to see once more?
Over to you, Mo.
