Tarek Suleiman set to lead Egypt against Malawi after coaching licence application

Tarek Suleiman will take charge of Egypt’s two Africa Cup of Nations qualifying matches against Malawi after head coach Hossam Hassan and team director Ibrahim Hassan were suspended.

The Egypt assistant coach is expected to lead the team from the touchline rather than from the stands, according to a source at the Egyptian Football Association who spoke to FilGoal.com.

Suleiman has applied for a coaching licence, a move which will allow him to be present on the pitch for the two fixtures, the source said.

“Tarek Suleiman will lead the match normally from the pitch because he has applied for the coaching licence. As a result, the Confederation of African Football will allow him to be present instead of Hossam Hassan,” the source told FilGoal.com.

The Egyptian Football Association had previously confirmed that it had received the sanctions imposed on Hossam Hassan, Ibrahim Hassan and Egypt player Mustafa Ziko.

All three were punished following events during Egypt’s 3-2 defeat by Argentina in the round of 16 at the 2026 World Cup.

Hossam Hassan and Ibrahim Hassan were each suspended for three matches by FIFA, while Ziko received a five-match ban.

The suspensions mean the three will miss Egypt’s two matches against Malawi in next month’s 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign.

Hossam Hassan and Ibrahim Hassan will also be absent for Egypt’s opening match in March 2027, against Angola.

Ziko’s suspension will run until next June. He will therefore miss Egypt’s four remaining matches in the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers, as well as one additional fixture.