Egypt FA meeting with Hossam Hassan focuses on stability ahead of African qualifiers

The Egyptian Football Association says a meeting between president Hany Abu Rida, vice-president Khaled El-Dirndely and national team manager Hossam Hassan focused on improving the atmosphere around the squad and strengthening stability ahead of next month’s African qualifiers.

The association’s board was briefed on the discussions at its meeting on Monday, which also considered a number of issues involving Egypt’s national teams and the development of the organisation’s work.

In a statement published on its official website, the Egyptian Football Association said the meeting had been held to “clear the air, strengthen stability within the national team and provide the appropriate environment for the technical staff to work in light of the African qualifiers scheduled for next month”.

It added that the association was looking to the support of Egyptian football fans.

Egypt began their qualifying campaign for the Africa Cup of Nations with a goalless draw against Angola before beating South Sudan in the second round.

The board also reviewed reports on the national teams. Khaled El-Dirndely, Mohamed El-Sherbiny and Walid Darwish presented reports on the senior side and the teams for players born in 2007 and 2009, each in relation to their respective responsibilities.

A report from the senior team’s delegation was also considered.

The board approved the technical preparation programmes for the teams made up of players born in 2005 and 2010, as part of their preparations for forthcoming competitions.

It also approved the delegation for Egypt’s Under-15 team, which will take part in the World Championship in Azerbaijan.

The delegation for the Under-17 team was approved for its participation in the World Championship in Qatar. Walid Darwish will lead that delegation.

The board further approved the Under-17 team’s travel to the North African Championship in Tunisia. The delegation will be headed by Mostafa Abu Zahra.