HIBAPRESS – Agadir
Hossam Hassan, the technical director of the national football team, confirmed during a press conference at a classified hotel north of Agadir, that the start of any continental tournament remains a crucial stage in the competition, stressing that achieving victory in the opening match against the Zimbabwe team will give the "Pharaohs" a great moral advantage in the African Cup of Nations journey.
During the press conference that preceded the first match, Hossam Hassan explained that the team enters the tournament with a winning mentality from the first minute, saying that the goal is clear and is to seriously compete for the eighth continental title, in a manner befitting the history of Egyptian football and the aspirations of the fans.
The national team coach indicated that he has great respect for the Zimbabwe team, but that the preparations were at the highest level, and that the players are ready to give a strong performance that translates the great ambitions from the start.
Hossam Hassan recalled his experience as a player, where he had previously won the African Cup of Nations three times, considering that winning the title as a coach remains a legitimate dream that he seeks to achieve with a distinguished generation of players, led by Mohamed Salah, in addition to Trezeguet and Marmoush, whom he described as elements of high artistic value.
He added that the team includes a group of players capable of making a difference, pointing out that the current generation has all the components to write a new page in the history of Egyptian football, especially with the presence of 14 players participating in the continental tournament for the first time.
Regarding Morocco's hosting of the tournament, Hossam Hassan expressed his happiness with the organization, confirming that the atmosphere of the fans will be exceptional, given the great passion that brings together the Moroccan and Egyptian public with football, which will give the competition a special character.
He concluded his speech by emphasizing his full confidence in all the selected elements, pointing out that the team appeared with a distinctive defensive performance during the World Cup qualifiers, which reflects the strength of teamwork, and also called on the media to support the team and focus on the successes achieved, highlighting at the same time the special status of Mohamed Salah, whom he considered a football icon capable of excelling and leading the team to be one of the most prominent stars of the tournament, in light of high morale and complete readiness.
