Former Zamalek captain Mahmoud Abdel-Razek Shikabala has publicly criticised Egypt head coach Hossam Hassan following the Pharaohs’ defeat to Senegal in the semi-finals of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.
Hassan had pointed to fatigue, poor scheduling and the stadium as reasons for Egypt’s exit, while also suggesting that forces were working against the team’s qualification to the final. Those remarks have drawn sharp criticism from Shikabala, who insisted that the defeat should be analysed strictly from a football perspective.
Shikabala questioned the logic behind Hassan’s claims, noting that Ivory Coast also travelled to face Egypt without their players making excuses or attempting to justify their loss afterwards. He stressed that defeats are part of football and should be addressed professionally rather than blamed on external factors.
The former Egypt international also praised the overall organisation of the tournament, commending Morocco for delivering a strong competition, good facilities and excellent stadiums. He urged fans and officials alike not to be influenced by Hassan’s comments, insisting they detract from the real issues on the pitch.
Shikabala further warned against allowing such narratives to create unnecessary tension, stating that Egypt and Morocco are two major footballing nations that should avoid being drawn into situations that could damage their image or standing.
Beyond the AFCON debate, Shikabala also spoke candidly about deeper problems within Egyptian football. He claimed that in youth football, there are players who pay money to gain opportunities to play, revealing that he has personally witnessed such practices.
He added that influence and connections can allow players to feature for top clubs, including Al Ahly, while pointing out that some players in Zamalek’s youth system, despite lacking the required quality, still take part in matches because their parents pay money.
