Hossam Hassan: History Isn’t the Scoreboard—Chasing a Gohary-Style Legacy

Match Reaction

Hossam Hassan, head coach of the Egypt national team, expressed his happiness after a 3-1 victory over Benin on Monday night in the Africa Cup of Nations round of 16 in Morocco. He conveyed his gratitude to the Egyptian supporters and thanked the players for their immense effort during the match.

He also said, “We are delighted to advance to the quarterfinals, especially since this edition is the strongest in years. Benin were a respectful opponent who played well; there are no easy teams in Africa.”

Injuries and Outlook

Hassan spoke about the team’s injuries, noting that Mohamed Hamdi suffered a torn ACL and Mahmoud Hassan, known as “Trezeguet,” sustained ankle ligament damage. He added that the players will fight to win the quarterfinal and dedicate the qualification to their teammate Mohamed Hamdi.

The Egypt coach emphasized the tournament’s difficulty and said he respects all rivals, reminding that football is decided by performance on the pitch, not by history. He also affirmed that Egypt is chasing the title and possesses a fighting spirit, requiring thorough preparation for the last eight and readiness for any opponent.

Hassan reflected on his career, stating that while he has worked with great coaches, the late Mahmoud El Gohary remains the greatest name and that he hopes to be his student and beneficiary of his experience.

Punchline 1: History in football is like an old souvenir—nice to have, but it doesn’t put the ball in the net.

Punchline 2: If Hassan’s strategy were a sniper, it would aim for the corner—precision, focus, and a joke or two to celebrate the goal.