Tensions rose within the Egyptian national team camp in recent days following statements made by Hossam Hassan, the Pharaohs' head coach, during a press conference ahead of the match against Angola.
Egypt's match against Angola ended in a goalless draw at Cairo International Stadium in the first round of qualifiers for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations finals.
The Colonel's Controversial Statements
Hossam Hassan, Egypt's head coach, sparked widespread controversy in recent days with his remarks, sharply criticizing Mohamed El Shenawy, Al-Ahly's goalkeeper, describing him as "finished."
Hossam Hassan went further by casting doubt on Mohamed El Shenawy's injury, which Al-Ahly had announced hours before revealing the Pharaohs' squad list for the September training camp.
Hossam Hassan stated: "There was a period when Mohamed El Shenawy was 'finished' and never played for his club, yet he regained his form through training with us... He regained his level through the Egyptian national team... Not only him, but other players as well."
He added: "The decision to exclude Mohamed El Shenawy resulted from our selections, regardless of his injury... I could have 'made things easier for myself' and said he was injured, but these are our choices even if he wasn't injured."
Crisis with Salah
Hossam Hassan substituted Mohamed Salah and Haitham Hassan in the 60th minute of Egypt's match against Angola, with both players leaving the field showing clear signs of dissatisfaction with the Pharaohs' coach's decision.
A source told "Yalla Kora" that Hossam Hassan directed some blame toward Mohamed Salah, which upset the Egyptian national team captain, leading him to inform Hany Abu Rida, president of the Egyptian Football Association, of his desire to be rested for the South Sudan match to avoid any crisis.
Getting Back on Track
During the press conference for Egypt's match against South Sudan, Hossam Hassan issued several statements aimed at calming tensions.
Hossam Hassan confirmed that his remarks about Mohamed El Shenawy were misunderstood, clarifying that he holds utmost respect for Al-Ahly's goalkeeper and never intended to diminish anyone.
Hossam Hassan said: "My comments about Mohamed El Shenawy were misunderstood. I respect everyone. I mentioned that El Shenawy had a shoulder injury at that time; I did not mean to belittle anyone. I was referring to a past shoulder injury—that was in the past, and you know Arabic grammar best."
Read Hossam Hassan's messages through which he chose to calm the atmosphere in the national team camp here or by navigating the images above.
The matter did not end there, as Hossam Hassan also emphasized there is no disagreement between him and Mohamed Salah, explaining that the Pharaohs' captain will miss the South Sudan match due to the nature of the artificial turf ("tartan") pitch.
Hossam Hassan clarified: "This is not the first time Mohamed Salah has missed a match due to the pitch. You can review his absence from the Cape Verde and Mauritania matches. Therefore, there is no disagreement, and we do not want conflicts within the national team."
He added: "We rested Mohamed Salah because the match was played on artificial turf, as happens every time. However, with all due respect to all absences, we are well prepared."
Read Hossam Hassan's messages through which he chose to calm the atmosphere in the national team camp here or by navigating the images above.
Hossam Hassan's insistence on clarifying his previous statements regarding Mohamed El Shenawy, denying any disagreement with Mohamed Salah, and confirming that the Egyptian national team captain will participate in the friendly against South Africa appears to be a correction of what occurred in recent days.
It seems Hossam Hassan chose to calm tensions to restore stability to the Egyptian national team, which had been unsettled since the hours preceding the Angola match in the Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers until his clarifying statements before the South Sudan encounter.
Hossam Hassan did not choose escalation or to continue his controversial remarks about Mohamed El Shenawy, whom he described as "finished," nor did he speak negatively about Mohamed Salah's departure from the national team camp.
Read Hossam Hassan's messages through which he chose to calm the atmosphere in the national team camp here or by navigating the images above.
