Hossam Hassan, who manages the Pharaohs of Egypt, has stated that other nations on the continent harbor jealousy towards Egypt's impressive tally of seven Africa Cup of Nations championships.
The coach voiced his dissatisfaction with the organizers of AFCON, alleging that his team was treated unjustly. He noted that the schedule did not favor Egypt, suggesting that the envy of their accomplishments played a significant part in the unfavorable decisions.
"Egypt does not require excuses or apologies. Egypt is magnificent, and no one else will dare to match our seven titles," Hassan asserted.
He expressed concern that Egypt was not afforded sufficient rest compared to other teams, especially criticizing the choice that allowed Senegal to play their semi-final on the same field a day earlier.
"What FIFA rule justified the situation that the Egyptian team faced? When a team reaches the semi-finals, is the appropriate response to reward them or to impose hardships?" he questioned.
Hassan maintained that it was essential for all teams to enjoy equal rest time for a fair semi-final showdown, emphasizing that Egypt was the only team disadvantaged by the scheduling.
Additionally, he commented on the crowd's chants during the match, revealing that he had instructed his players to disregard the distractions and concentrate on their game.
"We are the Arabs of Africa, and Egypt stands tall as the mother of the Arabs and the heart of Africa in regards to history and accolades, and that evokes jealousy among others," he remarked.
Egypt will now aim to conclude the AFCON 2025 tournament on a high note as they confront Nigeria's Super Eagles in the third-place playoff on Saturday. Prior to the tournament, Hassan's squad had secured a 2-1 victory over Nigeria in a friendly match held in Cairo.
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