Hossam Hassan says Egypt are not built around Salah

Egypt have moved to the top of their Africa Cup of Nations qualifying group after Hossam Hassan insisted that the national team must not depend on Mohamed Salah. The coach said Salah missed the South Sudan match for personal reasons, while stressing that every player has an important role in the squad.

Egypt now lead Group B with four points from two matches, following a goalless draw with Angola in Cairo and their victory in Juba. South Sudan remain bottom without a point after losing their opening two games, including a defeat by Malawi.

Hassan said the result was earned through concentration, hard work and a tactical plan built around studying South Sudan’s strengths and weaknesses. He also identified the heat and the unfamiliar artificial surface as added difficulties, but said the squad had prepared for those conditions. He praised both the starters and substitutes for carrying out their assignments.

The coach also linked Egypt’s recent inconsistency to the long break after the World Cup, the players’ return from holiday and the fact that only five league rounds have been played. Egypt will next face South Africa in a friendly at Cairo Stadium on Sunday, before continuing their qualification campaign for the 2027 tournament in Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda.