Hossam Hassan, the Egyptian national football team's coach and legendary goalscorer, has made no secret of his burning ambition to achieve continental glory as a coach, adding the Africa Cup of Nations title to his already impressive record of three titles won as a player and a legendary goalscorer for the Pharaohs. This ambition comes as Egyptian football prepares to compete in the 2025 edition in Morocco, amidst high hopes of reclaiming the lost African crown.
The challenge of restoring lost glories
The "Dean," who has participated in seven previous continental editions and won titles in 1986, 2006 in Cairo, and 1998 in Burkina Faso, enters the upcoming tournament under immense pressure from fans and the media. Their primary objective is to return the Egyptian national team, the record holder for the most titles (7), to the podium for the first time in 16 years, specifically since the last title won by Hassan Shehata's generation in Angola in 2010.
The Pharaohs' all-time top scorer, with 68 goals in 178 international matches, finds himself facing a crucial test that is not limited to continental competition, but extends to securing his future in his position to lead the national team in the upcoming World Cup finals in the United States, Mexico and Canada, a dream that Egyptian fans strongly desire.
A new generation with a spirit of victories
At a press conference held in Agadir on the eve of the Pharaohs' opening match, Hossam Hassan stated, "I have had the honor of participating in the Africa Cup of Nations for many years, playing with different generations and winning the title three times, but winning it as a coach will have a completely different flavor." Hassan affirmed his complete confidence in his current squad, noting that the players possess a high sense of responsibility and are ready to make history by adding this title to their personal records and the nation's record.
Despite the recent inconsistent results of Egyptian football, Hossam Hassan successfully brought the national team back into the spotlight with a remarkable qualifying campaign, achieving a high scoring rate and an unbeaten record. The coach acknowledged the decline in performance of the youth teams, but emphasized that the success of the senior national team is the driving force behind Egyptian football, describing the current generation as an extension of the great 1990s generation, boasting world-class stars and boundless ambition.
A battalion bristling with stars and youth
The squad that Hossam Hassan relies on includes an ideal mix of experience and youth, as it includes 14 players who are participating in the continental competition for the first time, including 8 members of the Olympic team that achieved fourth place in the Paris 2024 Olympics. Hassan commented on this, saying: “We were keen to inject new blood that proved its worth in previous matches and did not disappoint.”.
The coach concluded his remarks by praising the star-studded names in his squad, emphasizing his good fortune in having such high-caliber players as Mohamed Salah, Omar Marmoush (who has been shining in the German Bundesliga), Mahmoud Hassan Trezeguet, Mostafa Mohamed, Ramy Rabia, and Ibrahim Adel. He affirmed that Egypt, with its rich history, always asserts its dominance and strives for its eighth title, regardless of the circumstances or the players, because "a champion must always be prepared.".
