AFCON 2027 Qualifiers: Ali Maher urges Egypt to play with ‘lion mentality’ after 5-0 Malawi win

Egypt coach Ali Maher has called on his players to adopt an aggressive approach in both attack and defence after beginning his tenure with a 5-0 victory over Malawi in the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers.

The Pharaohs recorded a convincing victory on Friday evening in the third round of qualifying to move to seven points and top their group.

The result also marked a winning start for Maher, who was recently appointed to replace Hossam Hassan as head coach of the Egyptian national team.

Speaking at his post-match press conference, Maher likened Egypt to a lion and stressed the need for his team to maintain an attacking mentality while remaining equally strong defensively.

“I always compare the Egyptian national team to a lion, so we must always attack fiercely and defend fiercely as well, and achieve as great results as possible. We have players who can achieve that against any team,” he said.

Maher also paid tribute to Mohamed Salah, who scored twice in the victory, describing the Liverpool forward as an important figure in Egyptian football.

“We must congratulate Salah on scoring two goals today. He is an honourable player and the face of the national team,” he added.

“Salah is a role model and the best thing that has happened in Egyptian football. He should always be honoured and treated like an outstanding person.”

The Egypt coach also acknowledged the contribution of domestic league managers, insisting that the national team would continue to monitor players across the league.

He said the door remained open to anyone capable of making a positive impact, citing league top scorer Mahmoud Mamdouh as an example of the players who could earn an opportunity.

“I thank all the coaches in the Egyptian league, and I am one of them. We have respectable coaches who provide us with good players,” Maher said.

“The door to the national team is open to everyone, and we choose the player who has a clear positive impact on his team, such as Mahmoud Mamdouh, the league’s top scorer.”

Maher further admitted that limited training opportunities ahead of the AFCON finals would present a challenge for his technical team.

He explained that the coaching staff would have to communicate their tactical ideas quickly to ensure the players understand the team’s approach despite the limited time available during international breaks.