Donja vs. Hassan: The Cape Verde Debate That Could Tilt Egypt’s AFCON Ambitions

Donja’s critique and the odd Cape Verde decision

In a pointed critique, Tamer Abdul Hamid, nicknamed “Donja,” directed his sharpest barbs at the national team setup led by Hossam Hassan after the recent friendlies against Uzbekistan and Cape Verde. He specifically questions a decision that had Mohamed Hamdi play at center-back, calling it an unusually curious move from the coach and signaling deeper strategic disagreements within the squad.

Donja argues that the tactical choices go beyond one game and warns of potential friction with star striker Mustafa Mohamed, who has grown frustrated by some of Hassan’s selections. He also highlights the need for defensive reinforcement, pointing to Rami Rabia’s return as a critical fix to the team’s vulnerabilities, while acknowledging administrative hurdles that could complicate any return.

Hassan’s fiery response and the broader AFCON context

Hossam Hassan answered back in a heated press conference after the Cape Verde clash, delivering pointed remarks that reignited debates about his leadership and the team’s trajectory. He addressed comparisons with Morocco’s coach, Walid Regragui, and defended the squad’s composition, including remarks about the limited number of professional players available to Egypt.

He argued that the national team cannot rely solely on a handful of stars like Mohamed Salah and Umar Marmoush, stressing that meaningful opportunities for others such as Mustafa Mohamed are essential for sustained success. Hassan also touched on youth development, noting potential talents from Europe—Omar Khadr (Aston Villa), Cameron Ismail (Arsenal’s youth), and Karim Ahmed (Liverpool U21)—but suggested there are hurdles that must be overcome to integrate them into the senior setup, having previously resisted similar moves for Sam Morsi.

Alongside these exchanges, the article revisits Mustafa Mohamed’s recent tensions with Hassan, tracing the forward’s anger after substitution in a match against Botswana during the 2025 AFCON qualifiers. It recalls Mohamed Salah’s and other European-based players’ roles in shaping the team’s fortunes, and it highlights a rift that reportedly required intervention from leaders within the Egyptian setup to ease tensions before the next phase.

Looking ahead, Egypt has been drawn into Group B at AFCON 2025 in Morocco, alongside South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Angola. The Pharaohs are chasing the title for the first time since 2010, with Hassan expressing a lifelong goal to emulate his mentor Mahmoud El Gohary, who twice achieved continental glory as both player and coach. The coach’s ambitions reflect a blend of nostalgia and pragmatism as Egypt navigates a post-Uzbekistan/Cape Verde reality toward a potentially historic campaign.

Punchline 1: If strategic football were a blindfolded treasure hunt, Hassan’s plays would keep you chasing the map while the ball hides in the snack drawer.

Punchline 2: And if Egypt’s tactics were a coffee, it’d be a double espresso—bitter, strong, and probably leaving the defense jittery until the final whistle.