Farayi Mungazi BBC Sport

Ramzy wants to end his career on home soil

Like a veteran detective who must solve one last crime before handing in his badge, Hany Ramzy has told BBC Sport that he wants to go out on a high.

One of the most recognisable figures in Egyptian football, Ramzy wants next year's African Cup of Nations finals to be his swansong.

"It's my dream to finish my international career at home. I hope the trainer [Hassan Shehata] gives me the chance to show everyone that I'm still good enough at international level."

The 36-year old defender ended a two-year absence from the game on Sunday when he made his debut for German club FC Saarbr�cken.

I have played in six African Cups and I know what this tournament is all about Hany Ramzy

Ramzy, who skippered the Pharaohs to Nations Cup glory in Burkina Faso in 1998, suffered a career-threatening knee injury in August 2003 while playing for Bundesliga side Kaiserslautern.

Following the expiry of his contract with Kaiserslautern in June, Ramzy signed a two-year with the second division outfit.

"The last two years have been very difficult for me but I've worked very hard to regain my fitness," he told BBC Sport.

"I decided to leave Kaiserslautern because I wasn't in the team after recovering from injury in January.

"I want to give myself the best chance to play at the African Cup of Nations next year."

In his heyday, Ramzy had a reputation as one of the best man-markers in the game. It was very rare to see him muscled out in a one-on-one situation.

Ramzy certainly has an impressive resume to his credit, with 124 international caps and six appearances with Egypt at the African Cup of Nations finals.

He played more than 200 matches for Kaiserslautern and another top Bundesliga side Werder Bremen.

Ramzy told BBC Sport that his experience and leadership will benefit the younger members of the national team unaccustomed to the glare of the Nations Cup spotlight.