Egypt’s legendary head coach Hossam Hassan has fired a warning shot at African football, claiming that envy is dogging his team at AFCON. The Pharaohs’ seven-title legacy, he insists, has made them the target of jealousy, and Hassan argues that tournament organisers have treated his side unfairly, stacking the schedule against them.
“Egypt does not need excuses or apologies. Egypt is great, and no one will dare to win seven titles like us,” Hassan said. He also questioned why Egypt had to play a day later than other semi-finalists while Senegal took the pitch on the same day, asking, “By what FIFA law is what happened to the Egypt team done? When a team reaches the semi-finals, do you honour it or torture it?”
Hassan added that Egypt should have had equal rest compared to their opponents to ensure a fair competition. Addressing stadium chants, he instructed his players to ignore distractions and remain focused.
“We are Arabs of Africa, and Egypt is great, the mother of the Arabs and the mother of Africa in terms of history and titles, and everyone is jealous,” he concluded.
Egypt will face Nigeria’s Super Eagles in the third-place playoff on Saturday, aiming to end AFCON 2025 on a high note after their earlier pre-tournament 2–1 win over the Nigerians in Cairo.
