HIBAPRESS – Abdellatif Baraka
The statements made by Hossam Hassan, the coach of the Egyptian national team, and his brother Ibrahim Hassan, the team's director, during the 2025 African Cup of Nations in Morocco, sparked a wide wave of controversy. This was not related to technical performance or tactical choices on the field, but rather focused on a discourse that many considered outside the context of continental sporting competition.
At a time when the Egyptian fans were waiting for an emotional speech that reflected the passion for football and the historical aspirations of a team accustomed to competing for titles, the technical and administrative staff chose to delve into side details, such as describing the accommodation as "pension" and talking about "mosquitoes" and the players' inability to sleep. These were phrases that quickly turned into material for ridicule and criticism on social media. These statements, made by Ibrahim Hassan about the Barceló hotel in Tangier, were met with strong reactions from Moroccan and Egyptian activists and followers residing in the city, who published video clips showing that the Egyptian team was staying in a five-star hotel, with high-end facilities and internationally approved accommodation standards, which deepened the feeling that the discourse was not successful or accurate. What is noticeable in this context is that part of the sports public opinion saw these positions as an expression of an inability to control communication, rather than an attempt to explain failure or justify pressure. Positive interaction with the fans, especially in continental and international competitions, has become an essential element of success, no less important than physical preparation or tactical plans. In contrast, slipping towards creating side excuses may be understood as an escape from the essence of the competition. There is no doubt that the major teams, with Egypt's football history and African status, are measured not only by their results, but also by their discourse and behavior on and off the field. The Egyptian fans, known for their great passion for football, were waiting for a speech that reflected the spirit of challenge and responsibility, not a language that provokes controversy and weakens the focus on the real questions related to performance and level. In the end, football remains a comprehensive competition, whose main title is respect, controlling the discourse, and the ability to represent the national jersey in a manner befitting its historical weight. As for talking about "pension and mosquitoes", it has revealed a clear gap between the aspirations of the Egyptian sports street and a discourse that, in the opinion of many, was not at the level of those aspirations.
