AFCON Won’t Decide a Coach’s Fate: Inside Egypt’s Football Leadership
6 October 2025
Key Points
Hani Abu Rida, president of the Egyptian Football Association, says his relationship with Hosam Hassan, the national team’s head coach, is cordial and there are no lingering rifts.
During a federation-hosted podcast, he stressed that results matter for the federation as a whole, not only for Hassan.
He denied tying Hassan’s future to AFCON results and said he is outlining the Pharaohs’ preparations through the 2026 World Cup with the coaching staff.
Regarding tensions between the second national squad led by Helmy Tolon and Hassan, he said he rejected Egypt’s withdrawal from the Arab Cup and explained Tolon’s selection was a decision by the technical committee.
He noted that Mohamed Salah, the Liverpool star, is captain and has a strong voice to unite the group, playing a major role in recent times.
Implications for Egyptian Football
Asked about a hypothetical “parachute” into football governance, Abu Rida dismissed the idea as myth, stressing his own long history in football—from youth at Al Masry to federation leadership and beyond.
He traced his journey from an Al Masry youth product to federation roles, detailing how migration and a career-ending injury shaped his path, and how friendships and mentorship helped him return to football via work in Port Said, the competitions committee, and various federation roles.
He underscored a commitment to not failing in any task and highlighted a long-running emphasis on youth development, even recalling an era when national anthems were mandated before league matches to raise Egyptian football’s profile.
He recalled his relationship with the late Samir Zahir and described it as familial, while noting the current technical group—featuring Hassan Shahat, Tolon, Mohsen Saleh, and Ali Abu Jreisha—oversees the national teams.
Regarding governance, he praised the current board while acknowledging financial constraints, stressing progress that included two youth teams qualifying for world cups and a leadership structure with strong ties to clubs including Al Ahly and others.
Looking to the Future
He said he does not fear big clubs and wants young, capable leaders to take over; he hopes Hazem Imam might represent Egypt abroad someday and commends the cooperation with Ahmed Diab and the clubs’ association.
There is mutual respect between the federation’s leadership and clubs, with a belief that the right people can carry the Egyptian football banner forward.
Punchline 1: If results were a sniper rifle, the coach would get a perfect score—bullseye every time, even with VAR breathing down his neck.
Punchline 2: If leadership changes were a game of football, the referee would still give the whistle to the young, because growth never goes offside.
