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Egypt's Clash at AFCON: 50-Year Wait Sparks Fire Ahead of Morocco-Senegal Final Showdown

16 January 2026

Egypt's Clash at AFCON: 50-Year Wait Sparks Fire Ahead of Morocco-Senegal Final Showdown
Ibrahim Hassan during a tense AFCON press conference.

Ibrahim Hassan, Egypt's head coach, clashed with a Moroccan journalist in an exchange at a press conference before the Egypt-Nigeria third-place match in Morocco.

Video footage shows Hassan addressing Moroccan journalist: 'Do you win titles? You waited 50 years to win the crown'.

Morocco advanced to the Africa Cup of Nations final to face Senegal.

Atlas Lions have won AFCON once, in 1976.

The Moroccan side aims to seize crown under Walid Regragui.

Egypt had also failed to reach the final after a 1-0 defeat.

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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

Who clashed at the press conference?

Ibrahim Hassan, Egypt's head coach, and a Moroccan journalist.

What did Hassan say to the journalist?

He challenged whether Morocco wins titles, noting they waited 50 years for a continental crown.

What is the current AFCON status?

Morocco advanced to the final to face Senegal, while Egypt’s run ended after a 1-0 defeat to Senegal.