When you really trust a national coach: Egypt finds redemption under the leadership of Hossam Hassan
This article was automatically translated from HIBAPRESS, the Arabic version:
HIBAPRESS-RABAT-CAF
After a turbulent start to 2024, the Egyptian national football team has turned a corner, showing resilience and determination under the leadership of Hossam Hassan.
After initial failures at the African Cup of Nations (CAN) and a comeback in the World Cup qualifiers, the Pharaohs are on the road to renewal, striving to reclaim their place as giants of African football.
A disappointing campaign for TotalEnergies at the CAN
Egypt’s journey to the TotalEnergies AFCON started on a difficult note at the start of the year, with the team failing to win in the group stage. Three consecutive 2-2 draws against Mozambique, Cape Verde and Ghana put them in second place in their group, narrowly qualifying for the round of 16.
The round of 16 against the Democratic Republic of Congo ended with a defeat on penalties (7-8) after a draw (1-1). Goalkeeper Mohamed Abou Gabal missed a penalty and Lionel Mbassi Nzau scored the decisive goal, sealing Egypt’s elimination.
This poor performance led to the dismissal of coach Rui Vitoria, replaced by Hossam Hassan. Known for his charisma, Hassan’s appointment has raised hopes of replicating the eras of success under Mahmoud El-Gohary and Hassan Shehata.
Egypt national team players Qualifications revive Egypt’s enthusiasm
The Hassan era started promisingly, with Egypt finishing runners-up in a FIFA Series tournament in Cairo, beating New Zealand 1-0 before losing to Croatia in the final. The real test came during the CAF TotalEnergies CAN 2025 qualifiers in Morocco, where the team found their form.
A series of resounding victories defined Egypt’s campaign: a 3-0 win over Cape Verde, a 4-0 win over Botswana and two clean sheets against Mauritania.
Standout performances from Mahmoud Trezeguet and Mohamed Salah highlighted the team’s potential, with Salah’s precision and Trezeguet’s dynamism pushing the Pharaohs forward.
Despite draws against Cape Verde and Botswana in the qualifiers, Egypt secured their place in Morocco, boosting their confidence for the future.
Notable artists for Egypt Strong start to World Cup qualifiers
Egypt continued their momentum in the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers. In their first matches, under the leadership of their former coach Rui Vitoria, Egypt beat Djibouti 6-0 (with four goals from Salah) and secured a 2-0 victory against Sierra Leone.
The arrival of Hassan has infused the team with renewed energy. A hard-fought 2-1 victory against Burkina Faso demonstrated their mettle, while a 1-1 draw against Guinea-Bissau demonstrated their ability to bounce back from setbacks.
With 10 points from four matches, Egypt sits at the top of Group A and is closing in on its fourth World Cup qualification.
Resilience Ranking
Despite the difficulties encountered earlier in the year, Egypt maintained their world ranking at 33rd, reflecting the team’s upward trajectory under Hassan’s leadership.
The Pharaohs’ consistent performances in qualifying have reinvigorated fans’ confidence in their potential to shine on the world stage.
The road to follow
Egypt’s journey continues with two crucial World Cup qualifying matches in March 2025, against Ethiopia and Sierra Leone.
With eyes set on qualifying for the 2026 FIFA World Cup and achieving excellence at the TotalEnergies 2025 AFCON in Morocco, the Pharaohs aim to cement their legacy and realize the dreams of their passionate supporters.
