A trophy given to Egypt for keeps after winning three consecutive Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) competition has gone missing.
Eygpt won the AFCON in 2006, 2008 and 2010. Their exploits were rewarded with the trophy which they get to keep for life.
Now, reports say it has “disappeared” from the headquarters of the Egyptian Football Association (EFA).
According to Ahmed Shobair, the former vice president of the EFA and an ex-national team goalkeeper, members of the EFA were “astonished” to find that the cup was not where it has been kept at the association’s headquarters.
The association had planned to launch an exhibition to showcase Egypt’s football achievements.
“The Africa Cup, which Egypt has earned permanently, has disappeared from the association. I am not kidding,” Shobair said during his TV programme “On Time”.
Egypt’s former captain Ahmed Hassan quickly denied rumours that the cup was in his possession, Shobair said during the show.
The former goalkeeper described the incident as “a hilarious story”.
The EFA has yet to comment publicly on the incident.
Egypt is the most successful national side in the history of the Africa Cup of Nations. The country won the competition a record seven times, including three in a row between 2006 and 2010.