Photo: EFA official facebook page
Egypt head coach Hossam Hassan said his side are fully prepared for their opening match against Zimbabwe at the Africa Cup of Nations, stressing that the Pharaohs’ players are conscious of their responsibility towards Egyptian fans.
Egypt kick off their group campaign on Monday at 10pm local time, with Hassan describing the opening fixture as a crucial step that will set the tone for the rest of the tournament.
“The opening match is always important in the Africa Cup of Nations. It gives confidence and strong motivation for the remainder of the group stage and the tournament as a whole,” Hassan said at a pre-match press conference.
He reaffirmed Egypt’s ambition to win a record-extending eighth continental title, saying the national team always plays to win. “We are strongly chasing the eighth title to make history and bring joy to the Egyptian people,” he said, while underlining his respect for Zimbabwe and the readiness of their players for what he described as a tough encounter.
Hassan said he was honoured to have won the Africa Cup of Nations three times as a player, calling it “a great and exceptional feeling” for any footballer, and expressed his hope of lifting the trophy again as a coach.
The Egypt coach praised the quality within his squad, singling out senior figures including Mohamed Salah, Mahmoud Hassan “Trezeguet,” and Omar Marmoush. He said he regularly urges his players to chase a title that would secure their place in history, describing the current squad as “a wonderful generation with high-level abilities and great potential.”
Hassan also welcomed the organisation of the tournament in Morocco, noting similarities between Moroccan and Egyptian fans in their passion for football, which he said would contribute to the competition’s success.
On squad selection, the coach said he was satisfied with his choices despite the absence of defender Mohamed Abdelmonem, stressing his confidence in all available players. He highlighted the presence of 14 players making their Africa Cup of Nations debut, saying this should serve as strong motivation to prove themselves.
Hassan also pointed to Egypt’s defensive strength in recent World Cup qualifiers, noting the team conceded just two goals thanks to a collective effort.
“The current tournament includes strong national teams, but we are ready to compete for the title,” he said, calling on Egyptian media to support the senior national team by focusing on its recent achievements to help boost players’ morale.
He added that he maintains constant communication with Salah, praising the captain’s performances for Egypt and describing him as an Egyptian icon with high morale, predicting he would be among the tournament’s standout players.
Egypt begin their Africa Cup of Nations campaign against Zimbabwe on Monday night, aiming for a winning start in their quest for continental glory.
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