Egypt national team head coach Hossam Hassan has reignited public debate regarding his relationship with Mohamed Salah, asserting following Egypt’s 5–0 victory over South Sudan that the Pharaohs cannot rely solely on a single player, regardless of his stature.
Speaking at the post-match press conference in Juba following Egypt’s Matchday 2 victory in the AFCON 2027 qualifiers, the manager explained that the team captain’s absence was due to “personal circumstances,” contradicting the Egyptian Football Association’s (EFA) earlier statement citing rest due to the artificial turf.
“Mohamed Salah is a hugely important player worldwide at any time, and his absence was due to personal circumstances,” Hossam Hassan stated.
“That is why I say the entire national team faced difficult conditions during the Angola match, and things would have been different had we conducted a longer preparation period without injuries,” he added.
The manager emphasized: “I am not making excuses because the national team might be affected, but it does not stop for anyone. Every player is important, but at the same time, a country of 120 million people cannot depend on just one player.”
He continued: “It is my duty to work with the committed players available to build a strong core for the national team,” before concluding: “I try to choose my words carefully when speaking because my intentions are good, but I am often misunderstood.”
The remarks follow widespread reports of tension between the pair after Salah was substituted in the 61st minute during the goalless draw against Angola, followed by Hassan reportedly blaming several senior figures inside the dressing room.
While the EFA maintained that Salah’s absence was pre-planned due to Juba’s synthetic pitch, and the head coach previously denied any rift, the Liverpool star has issued no public statement regarding the matter.
