Egypt will face Senegal on Wednesday in the AFCON semi-finals, with Hassan saying his team is fully prepared despite Senegal having an extra day of rest.
Speaking at a pre-match press conference, Hassan said the players are ready and fully aware of the challenge. “We respect the opponent and will play well,” he said, adding that Egypt are “physically ready” for the match.
Hassan stressed the importance of collective preparation, noting that every coach has a different approach. He said the technical staff studies all possible options with the players, carefully analyses opponents, and focuses on small details.
He also praised his squad’s determination to perform strongly in what he described as a highly competitive tournament, pointing to the increasing number of professional players strengthening African national teams.
The head coach also voiced his support for national team coaches, highlighting the late Mahmoud El-Gohary and former coach Hassan Shehata for their roles in Egypt’s continental achievements. “A national coach is the best and closest to the national team players,” he said.
Rejecting claims of a mental block against Senegal, Hassan said Egypt’s status as seven-time African champions speaks for itself. He recalled Egypt’s victory over Senegal at the 2000 tournament, in which he scored, saying the idea of a “psychological complex” was unfounded.
Hassan concluded by welcoming the high-profile match-up between Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mané, describing it as “wonderful” and a positive example for African football.
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