Online Reporter
IT’S like a throwback to the 2019 AFCON finals when Zimbabwe and Egypt started their campaign by battling against each other.
Six years ago, it was in Cairo and the Pharaohs, who were the hosts, won the game 1-0 through a Trezeguet strike.
It wasn’t as easy as many had thought as the Warriors gave as much as they got in a tight game.
On Monday, in Morocco, the two teams will meet again to get their campaign underway at the 2025 AFCON finals.
A lot of the world’s media focus will be on Mohamed Salah. Egyptian coach Hossam Hassan has shifted from admonishing Salah to embracing him with the gaffer softening a hardline stance taken after he took charge in February last year.
Following Salah’s dramatic media appearance and open conflict with Liverpool, Hassan posted a smiling training-ground photo and hailed Salah as a symbol of determination and strength.
According to L’Équipe, the conciliatory message jarred with their icy start to 2024.
At the AFCON finals in Côte d’Ivoire, Salah injured a hamstring and flew back to England.
Hassan reacted by saying he should stay at Liverpool until fully fit and that Egypt had men to do the job. The Pharaohs later exited to DR Congo on penalties in the last 16.
Now, Hassan wants Salah to lift the trophy.
“It’s time for Salah to lift the AFCON trophy, he deserves it. The competition will be tough, but we have what it takes to win.
“Mo is an outstanding player and having him with us is incredible. He leads by example, and the whole team, under his leadership, is committed to achieving the hopes and dreams of Egyptian fans.
“Having both Mohamed Salah and Omar Marmoush performing at the highest level in world football gives Egypt tremendous strength.
“Of course, they will face immense pressure at AFCON, but they have gained the experience and maturity to handle it.”
He added:
“Marmoush is a special talent. He has worked tirelessly throughout his career in Europe and fully earned his move to one of the world’s biggest clubs.
“I’m confident he will succeed in the coming period. “We are doing everything to bring AFCON back to Egypt after such a long absence. As a player, I won titles with a great group of stars.
“Now, as a coach, we qualified for AFCON as group leaders with four wins and two draws.
“We introduced new faces to prepare for the future, and I hope to win the tournament and bring joy to the Egyptian people.” − L’Equipe/Kingfut.com/Sports Reporter
