Cairo Diary: Hosts are putting their faith in the world's most capped player, writes Matt Spiro

As the land of ancient civilisation prepares for the 25th African Cup of Nations final in Cairo this afternoon, it's fitting that the grandfather of Egyptian football, Hossam Hassan, should be gearing up for one last international hurrah.

With Egypt's modern-day hero Mido likely to be watching in the stands after receiving a six-month suspension, the hosts will put their faith in an old hand to lead the line against the Ivory Coast. Hassan is widely regarded as Egypt's greatest player, and should the 39-year-old crash home a winning goal in his 170th international appearance, memories of Mido's touchline antics with the coach Hassan Shehata three days ago would quickly be forgotten.

Before the tournament few experts believed Hassan would feature on the pitch, most claiming that his principal role was in providing moral support.

But while the Al Masry striker has lost pace, his class has not deserted him. After setting up two goals in the 3-1 group win over the Ivory Coast, Hassan registered his 64th international goal in sublime fashion against DR Congo in the quarter-final. "I'm still very fit and I feel ready to start the final," the bald goal-getter declared last night.

Hassan's big-match temperament is another factor that could sway the selection. Now playing in his seventh Nations Cup, the world's most capped player was in the Egypt side that overcame Cameroon on penalties in the final at the Cairo International stadium 20 years ago, a match played in front of 100,000 fans.

Increased security means the same ground will house just 75,000 today, though the support will be no less frenetic. "It's going to magical," Hassan said. "Whenever I've played for Egypt the fans have got behind me and I hope their support will inspire us."

With virtually every supporter now armed with an Egyptian flag, it promises to be quite a spectacle.

After the Pharaohs' 2-1 semi-final success over Senegal, thousands lined the streets linking the stadium to the team hotel to cheer the team bus, and the scale of the celebrations should Egypt become the first African nation to win five titles is difficult to fathom.

"In 1986 it was absolutely crazy," Hassan recalled with an excited grin. "The party went on and on and I didn't go to bed for three days. I'm a bit older now, so this time, win or lose, I'll probably have a bath and an early night!"

The Pharaohs have arguably been the most impressive nation over the past three weeks, but they are unlikely to have things all their own way against an Ivorian team inspired by two Premiership players.

Arsenal's Kolo Toure has been the tournament's outstanding defender, while Chelsea's Didier Drogba already has three goals.

Egypt, on the other hand, are lacking European-based stars, but Shehata has intelligently built his side around the excellent Al Ahly team that won last year's African Champions League.

In Mohamed Barakat and Mohamed Abou Treka they possess two of Africa's finest creative midfielders, while Emad Motaeb is a deadly striker.

The one blot on Cairo's pyramid-speckled horizon this week has been Mido's exclusion. Endless phone-ins have dominated the country's radio and television shows ever since the Tottenham striker's finger-wagging extravaganza with his coach after being substituted in the semi-final.

On the whole, Egyptian people adore Mido and everybody has been willing him to do well here, but the consensus seems to be that his behaviour was unacceptable.

"It's sad, because he is a lovely guy and a good footballer, but the federation has acted in the best interests of Egyptian football," reflected Hassan, who was given a hefty shove by Mido as he tried to calm down the situation. "It may be a severe penalty but Mido has to learn that he cannot act in such a way."

The Pharaohs may have lost their dashing young hero, but in Hassan they have a player whose wise head and attacking instincts may well be good enough to see them over the finishing line.

The Final Egypt v Ivory Coast Cairo, today, kick-off 4.0

On TV: Eurosport