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Egypt's Hamdi Heads to Germany for ACL Surgery as AFCON Journey Honks on

9 January 2026

Egypt's Hamdi Heads to Germany for ACL Surgery as AFCON Journey Honks on
Egyptian left-back Mohamed Hamdi sustains ACL injury during Benin clash as Egypt advances in AFCON.

Injury and International Aid

Mohamed Hamdi, Egypt's left-back, obtained a travel visa to Germany for ACL surgery after tearing his cruciate ligament in Monday's round of 16 win over Benin.

Egypt defeated Benin 3-1 to advance to the Africa Cup of Nations quarterfinals in Morocco.

The injury occurred moments before the end of the first half.

A source told KOOORA that Hany AbouRida, the federation president, pushed to accelerate Hamdi's visa and entry to Germany for surgery, coordinating with the Moroccan federation and the Egyptian Embassy in Morocco with a top knee hospital in Germany recommended by Dr. Mohamed Abu El Ela, the head of the medical staff.

The surgery is scheduled for Sunday after the match, and Hamdi reportedly chose to stay with the squad to support Egypt in the Ivory Coast quarterfinal.

Punchline 1: If knees had passports, Hamdi’s would be stamped in Frankfurt before you finish this sentence.

Punchline 2: He’ll be back on the pitch faster than a viral meme—ACLs beware of a heroic montage!

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Emma Amme

I am Emma Amme, an English sports journalist born in 1998. Passionate about astronomy, contemporary dance, and handcrafted woodworking, I share my sensitive view of sports.

Frequently Asked Questions

What happened to Mohamed Hamdi during the Benin match?

He tore his cruciate ligament (ACL) late in the first half and will undergo ACL surgery in Germany.

How was the visa for Germany arranged?

Egyptian federation president Hany AbouRida accelerated the visa process and coordinated with the Moroccan federation and the Egyptian Embassy, with a German hospital recommended by the team doctor.

Will Hamdi miss the quarterfinal?

The surgery is scheduled for Sunday; he chose to stay and support the team against Ivory Coast in the quarterfinal.