Hossam Hassan, the head coach of the Egyptian national team, affirmed the Pharaohs' complete readiness for the highly anticipated quarter-final match against Ivory Coast in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, hosted by Morocco. Hassan made these remarks during the pre-match press conference, emphasizing that the Egyptian team's ambitions extend beyond mere participation or reaching the later stages of the tournament. Their sole focus, he stated, is on lifting the trophy and restoring the African glory that has eluded them since 2010.
This encounter holds special and historical significance, as matches between Egypt and Ivory Coast are considered classics of African football. History is replete with unforgettable clashes between the two sides, most notably the 2006 final, which the Pharaohs won on penalties, and the 2008 semi-final, which witnessed a resounding Egyptian victory. Hossam Hassan, who captained the national team during that golden era, is well aware of the responsibility now resting on his shoulders as coach to bring joy to the Egyptian fans, who are eager for their eighth title. He also emphasized his complete respect for the opponent, which boasts a selection of professionals playing in major European leagues.
The Egyptian national team's coach praised the wonderful atmosphere in Morocco, describing the organization as ideal and the stadiums as world-class, which contributed to raising the tournament's technical level. He also expressed his gratitude to the supportive Moroccan fans, emphasizing the deep fraternal ties between the two nations and recalling his support for the Atlas Lions in their historic achievement of qualifying for the 2022 World Cup. In a related context, Hossam Hassan commended the trend of relying on national coaches in Africa, expressing his full support for Walid Regragui's experience with Morocco and believing that a national coach is always best equipped to motivate players and defend their country's colors.
Regarding the technical aspects, the "Dean" praised the pivotal role played by his brother Ibrahim Hassan as the team's manager, describing him as a legend who facilitates many administrative and technical tasks. He also singled out star player Mahmoud Hassan "Trezeguet," describing him as a fighter who reminds him of the fighting spirit of the previous generation of giants. It's worth noting that the Egyptian national team secured its place in the quarterfinals after a marathon match against Benin, which the Pharaohs won in extra time with a score of 3-1. The goals were scored by Marwan Attia, Yasser Ibrahim, and captain Mohamed Salah, setting up a fiery encounter with the Ivorian Elephants on their path to the continental dream.
