Egypt fans join Ghanaian counterparts in stinging criticism of new national team kits

Egypt's new World Cup kit, released by German sportswear firm Adidas is drawing stinging criticism from the country's football fans similar to what Ghanaians have said about the new Black Stars jersey.

Black Stars fans took to social media on Tuesday to condemn the new design and now fans of their rivals Egypt say the new design was well below their expectations.

A red t-shirt featuring a subtle, checker pattern on the front and white stripes along the sides was ridiculed by fans on social media, prompting a wave of attacks on Adidas and the Egyptian Football Association (EFA).

Many social media users posted pictures of the World Cup Adidas kits of several other countries, such as Germany, Spain and Colombia, to contrast them with Egypt's "poor quality" jersey.

"Look at what Adidas did for Germany, and what they did for us!" said one Twitter user, while another berated the EFA for not terminating its contract with the German sportswear firm.

Some fans said that Egypt's World Cup kit should have been a modern interpretation of the jersey the team worn during their last participation in the 1990 edition in Italy.

Germany's new kit resembles the one they worn during their triumphant World Cup campaign in 1990 while Russia paid homage to the design of their 1988 Olympic Games kit.

Egypt's national team supervisor Ihab Leheita admitted the EFA was not satisfied with the new design, but implied that nothing could be done before the World Cup.

"Unfortunately, we don't have any choice. The EFA only chooses the kit colors and the design is decided by the sportswear company," Leheita told an Egyptian radio station.

"The new kits arrived in March but, honestly, the old one is much better.

"We wanted to add Egypt's name in Arabic letters on the back of the t-shirt and add any Pharaonic symbols but this has not happened," he added.

Egypt qualified for their first World Cup finals since 1990 with one match to spare in Group E after beating Congo 2-1 in a dramatic qualifier in Alexandria last month.

They will face Ghana away from home in their final match on Sunday.