Hossam Ahmed
September 9, 2025Egypt coach Hossam Hassan: “I want to be worthy of the fans who asked for me”
Egypt coach Hossam Hassan: “I want to be worthy of the fans who asked for me”
Egypt head coach Hossam Hassan expressed his satisfaction with his team’s performance and their progress towards qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, following the goalless draw against Burkina Faso in Ouagadougou on Tuesday.
Speaking to On Sport after the match, Hassan thanked the players for their efforts, indicating that they faced a very strong opponent:
“The Egyptian people have confidence in us, and thank God we have the share that the coaching staff of the national team is Egyptian, and this gives ambition to work hard. I thank all the players after they made an extraordinary effort. We faced a strong team with professionals in the best leagues in the world, and the least professional they have plays in the Egyptian League, and I am talking about Saidou Simpore and Blati Toure.”
The coach highlighted the contribution of senior figures such as Mohamed Salah, Trezeguet, and Mohamed El Shenawy, while also praising the younger players he trusted to perform in a high-pressure game.
“I wished to reach the World Cup with Egypt and to be worthy of the Egyptian people’s trust. I thank all the players, from the captain Mohamed Salah to the experienced players Trezeguet and Mohamed El Shenawy, and all the players from the oldest to the youngest. I was not worried about bringing in some players like Ahmed Eid, Khaled Sobhy, and Ahmed Kouka, even though the match is considered big for them, but I had confidence in them.”
Hassan noted that the game was balanced, with both teams enjoying spells of superiority:
“Burkina Faso reach positive stages in the qualifiers, and if you look at their squad, you will find all their players are professionals in the biggest leagues. I see that we played a balanced match against them, we had a positive shape, and at many times we were superior, and so were they, and our chances were certain.”
He also stressed that the substitutions in the match were because of his confidence in all the players involved:
“The substitutions gave the idea I wanted. Those who started the match gave a good level, and the substitutions in the last 15 minutes of the game were because of the confidence in those who started and those who came in. We had the ability to snatch the result.”
Recalling his playing days, Hassan drew a parallel between Egypt’s current players and his own teammates in the 1990 World Cup:
“I am happy that I was in the 1990 World Cup with great players, and now I have distinguished players. History repeats memories for the players, their spirit, and their abilities. I am happy to have reached it as a player and now as a coach.”
He concluded with words about the fans who demanded for him to be appointed as the head coach of Egypt:
“I wished to be worthy of the fans who wanted me to be at the head of the national team’s technical staff. I wanted to achieve their ambition and to be up to their trust.”
Group A standings:
