Egypt coach Hossam Hassan denies conflict with Salah — The National
Egypt national team head coach Hossam Hassan, in Juba, South Sudan, denied having a conflict with Mohamed Salah after the footballer left the team’s training camp before the Africa Cup of Nations qualifying match against South Sudan. According to The National, the coach also explained earlier remarks about goalkeeper Mohamed El Shenawy that had drawn criticism in Egypt.
Salah’s departure
The Egyptian Football Association said that Salah’s departure had been planned by the national team’s technical staff before the match against Angola. The federation explained that the game against South Sudan is to be played on artificial turf, which could potentially increase the risk of injury for the player.
Hassan noted that this is not the first time Salah has missed matches on artificial turf, mentioning games against Cape Verde and Mauritania. The coach said there was no conflict and that the team was in good condition. According to him, Salah is to return to the national team for a friendly match against South Africa in Cairo.
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Criticism of the coach
The situation drew attention after Egypt’s goalless draw with Angola in Cairo, when Hassan substituted Salah in the 60th minute. After the match, the coach explained the substitution on technical grounds.
Earlier, Hassan said that El Shenawy had at one time not played for his club and that work with the national team had helped him return to his level. Egyptian Football Association president Hany Abu Rida and Al Ahly came out in support of the goalkeeper after those remarks.
The coach also spoke critically about the level of the Egyptian Premier League, from which, he said, about 90% of the national team’s players come. Former national team footballers Mido, Shikabala and Hazem Emam publicly criticized Hassan’s statements and decisions. In Juba, the coach said that his words about El Shenawy had been misinterpreted: he meant the goalkeeper’s shoulder injury, which had kept him out for some time.
