Egypt coach Hossam Hassan explains Mohamed El Shenawy snub for AFCON 2027 qualifiers

Egypt head coach Hossam Hassan has insisted that Mohamed El Shenawy’s absence from the national team squad is purely a technical decision, dismissing suggestions of a dispute between the goalkeeper and the coach.

El Shenawy, who serves as Egypt’s captain and is one of the country’s most experienced players, was left out of the squad for the Pharaohs’ opening 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against Angola and South Sudan.

Egypt are preparing to begin their qualification campaign with the two matches forming part of the opening rounds of the 2027 AFCON qualifiers.

Speaking at his pre-match press conference, Hassan explained that although El Shenawy had been reported to be carrying an injury, his decision to leave the Al Ahly goalkeeper out was based on his technical assessment.

“It is my technical point of view. He said that he was injured, but my choices are technical and his absence is technical,” Hassan said.

The Egypt coach stressed that he continues to hold El Shenawy in high regard despite his decision to leave him out of the squad.

“El Shenawy is one of the leaders of the national team and one of the players I respect, but this is my technical point of view,” he added.

Hassan also appeared frustrated by repeated questions about his relationship with individual players, insisting that his position as head coach should not be placed on the same level as that of any player.

“And then, let’s not equate the heads, guys. Every conference you say there is a problem between Hossam Hassan and a certain player. The coach is not supposed to be compared to any player,” he stated.

El Shenawy’s omission has therefore been presented by Hassan as a footballing decision, with the coach maintaining that the goalkeeper remains respected within the national team setup.

Egypt will now turn their attention to the opening stages of the 2027 AFCON qualifiers as Hassan seeks to guide the Pharaohs towards qualification.