⚽ Hossam Hassan: Egypt Ready for Angola
Egypt head coach Hossam Hassan confirmed that the Pharaohs are ready to face Angola tomorrow, Friday, in the opening round of the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.
The manager stressed that the coaching staff do not consider absences or injuries excuses, with the current squad expected to focus on the task and make a strong start to the qualifying campaign.
🧤 Hossam Hassan Explains Mohamed El Shenawy’s Omission
Hossam Hassan also addressed Mohamed El Shenawy’s absence from the Egypt squad, stressing that the decision was based on the coaching staff’s technical assessment.
Speaking at the pre-match press conference, Hassan said: “El Shenawy was finished, and we managed to bring him back to his level whether he was injured or not, and we have complete appreciation for him.”
The coach explained that the technical staff had previously contributed to restoring El Shenawy’s form with the national team, adding that similar work had been carried out with other players.
🔥 Hassan: Squad Selection Is the Staff’s Decision
The Egypt coach emphasized that selecting the squad is the responsibility of the coaching staff and that a player’s omission should not become a dispute between the manager and the player.
He added: “These are purely the coaching staff’s choices. We helped restore El Shenawy’s level at previous stages with the national team, just as we did with other players.”
He continued: “I have never seen in football a player’s omission turn into a crisis with the coaching staff. The coach remains the coach and the player remains the player.”
His comments underline Hassan’s view that the technical staff must have full authority to choose the players they consider best suited to each match and stage of the team’s development.
⭐ Egypt Squad Selected After Detailed Assessment
Hassan said the Egypt squad was selected following careful and comprehensive monitoring of the available players.
He also highlighted the importance of overseas-based players and giving them confidence as part of the coaching staff’s plan to build a stable core for the national team, while continuing to assess all available options.
⏳ Limited Preparation Time
The Egypt manager also addressed the short preparation period before the Angola match, explaining that the team has had limited time for collective training.
He said: “This is our first camp in 80 days, and I am gathering the players only a night and a half before the match, which forces me to work intensively within a very limited period.”
Hassan added that he consistently calls for earlier camps so the coaching staff can give the players more time to reach the required physical and tactical level.
🏆 Renewing Egypt’s Squad
Hossam Hassan concluded by stressing that since taking charge, the coaching staff have been working to refresh the national team and lower the average age of the squad as part of a broader plan to build a competitive team for the future.
Egypt will face Angola on September 25 in the opening round of qualifying, followed by South Sudan on September 29, before playing a friendly against South Africa on October 4.
Egyptian supporters are now awaiting the Pharaohs’ first appearance in the qualifiers as the team begins its campaign for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations.
