AFCON 2015: Egypt’s Fall from Glory Continues as Pharaohs Miss Out Again
Once the undisputed kings of African football, Egypt’s decline on the continental stage has become glaring. After lifting the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) trophy a record seven times — including a historic treble in 2006, 2008, and 2010 — the Pharaohs will miss out on the tournament for a third consecutive edition.
Their 2015 AFCON hopes were crushed following a disappointing 0-1 home defeat to Senegal, who secured qualification with an early goal from Pape Alioune Diouf in the 8th minute. Despite dominating possession and creating chances, Egypt once again lacked the cutting edge needed at this level. Their elimination also paved the way for DR Congo to sneak in as the best third-placed team across all qualifying groups.
This latest failure underlines the deep struggles that have plagued the Egyptian national team since its golden era. Not since 2010 have the Pharaohs reached an AFCON final stage, a dramatic fall for a nation that once struck fear across the continent. The void left by legendary players like Mohamed Aboutrika, Ahmed Hassan, and goalkeeper Essam El-Hadary is yet to be truly filled.
The memory of Hossam Hassan — Egypt’s all-time top scorer and most capped player with 83 goals in 170 appearances — looms large. A symbol of resilience and dominance, Hassan embodied the pride and fighting spirit that once defined the Egyptian squad. His legacy serves as both inspiration and reminder of the heights the team once reached.
As the 2015 tournament prepares to unfold in Equatorial Guinea, Egypt will be absent from the spotlight once again, watching from the sidelines. The pressing question remains: can the Pharaohs rebuild and rediscover a generation capable of restoring their former glory? Only time will tell if Egypt can rise again to reclaim its rightful place atop African football.
