By Derek Gatopoulos
CAIRO, Egypt (AP) _ Sultan sells strawberries on a Cairo street corner. His prices are negotiable but his football convictions are not.
``We will win,'' says the Egypt fan.
The host nation faces Didier Drogba and Ivory Coast in Friday's African Cup of Nations final, after 12 goals from five games.
Public interest here in the 16-nation tournament has surged from near-indifference to attention toward every detail surrounding the national team _ known as the Pharaohs _ followed by steadily more colourful celebrations with every win.
Tuesday's semifinal victory over Senegal was met with instant street parties, with youths hanging out the windows of speeding cars, dancing to music on car stereos, and wearing face paint and giant wigs of Egypt's national colours: red, white and black.
The more conservative girls sported tricolour headscarfs in solidarity, while normally dour and bored policeman joined in celebrations and chants of ``Masr, Masr'' _ Egypt, Egypt.
On Wednesday, the talk was of star striker Ahmed Mido, kicked out of the team for angrily protesting his substitution late in the Senegal game.
Sultan thought the 22-year-old player deserves a second chance.
``Mido is good, he must play,'' he said.
A passing motorist held up traffic to voice his disagreement. ``No, no,'' he said, waggling his finger. ``Mido is no good, he will not play.''
Egypt is set to play World Cup qualifier Ivory Coast for a second time in the competition. It won their group match 3-1, and a second win would give Egypt a record fifth African title.
There's no doubt of victory for Imad-Eddin, who hands out receipts at a stall selling taamiya, a middle eastern beanburger. He's predicted the result and the scorers.
``Yes, we will win, 2-1,'' he said, as a customer translated. ``Ahmed Hassan and Amr Zaki will score,'' referring to the players who did the damage against Senegal.
Egypt has enjoyed games in front of capacity crowds at the 74,000-seat Cairo International Stadium, with boisterous but good-natured supporters keeping up their high-volume enthusiasm for all 90 minutes.
Drums and inflatable bats are used to maintain the clamour.
Musician Ali El-Sebaeh dresses in traditional costume and carries an oud, an Arabic stringed instrument. He's been to every Egypt game.
``I bring them luck,'' he said. ``With every game, we get stronger and stronger.''
Team veteran Hossam Hassan, 39, said the home advantage had propelled Egypt to the final.
``The people's support gives me power to play ... I need to have more wins for my people,'' Hassan said. ``We need this championship for our country. We lost (the chance to play) in the World Cup, so this _ God willing _ is what we can do for our country.''
