Ahmed Hassan 'Kouka' (Photo: Al-Ahram)
Egypt's national football team and SC Braga forward Ahmed "Kouka" Hassan said he was angry because of the statements made by Hani Ramzi, the Pharaoh's former assistant coach. Ramzi had said the players' performance was behind the loss in the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations.
Egypt was dealt a quick exit from the 16th round of the Africa Cup of Nations, held home. Egyptian football fans were frustrated and accusing fingers were pointed at the players and technical staff for being the reason behind the early exit.
Last Tuesday Ramzi opened fire at the players saying, "I won't say we lost due to technical reasons. We lost because some players were irresponsible on the pitch. I hope each team has three or four players like Tarek Hamed, Mohamed El-Shennawi, Mahmoud Alaa and Ahmed Hegazi."
"I am very sad these statements were made by a coach who was training you... and why now?... [Anyways] he was my coach and I have to respect his viewpoint," Kouka said on television.
Kouka is currently Egypt's national team striker under the helm of new coach Hossam El-Badry, who was appointed following the sacking of Mexican tactician Javier Aguirre.
Egypt are competing in the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers alongside the 2022 World Cup qualifiers.
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