Egypt's Fury Unleashed: Hassan Charges Back After Penalty Win Over Cape Verde in UAE Cup

Match Context and Outcome

Egypt's head coach Hossam Hassan roared back into the spotlight after his side defeated Cape Verde 2-0 on penalties, following a 1-1 draw, in the third-place game of the Al Ain International Cup staged in the United Arab Emirates. The decision went to penalties after full time, and Egypt prevailed in the shootout, securing a morale-boosting victory ahead of a demanding calendar ahead.

Cape Verde took the lead in the 7th minute when Jari Rodríguez converted from a penalty, but Egypt found an equaliser through Omar Marmoush in the 56th minute, setting the stage for a penalty drama that would decide the result.

In the post-match press conference, Hassan admitted fatigue had affected many players and argued there was insufficient time for proper recovery, a theme that would recur in his broader critique of the scheduling around the national team program.

He also criticised the scheduling of the Egyptian Super Cup before the November training camp, saying it should have been postponed to safeguard the squad for Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) preparations and the World Cup campaign, underscoring the national team's heavy upcoming calendar.

Hassan added that he could not push extra physical loads, explaining he aimed to give every player opportunities while avoiding injuries and overwork that could derail the broader objective of national team success.

In the shootout, the stand-in goalkeeper Mostafa Shobier saved two penalties and, combined with two misses by Cape Verde, sent Egypt through with a 2-0 advantage on the spot.

The result comes on the back of Egypt's semifinal defeat to Uzbekistan, a 2-0 reverse that marked Hassan's first loss since March 2024. The coach faced mounting criticism for the perceived dip in performance, to which he responded with a forceful defense of his leadership and strategic philosophy.

Harsh rebuke to critics

Hassan delivered a pointed rebuttal to critics, recalling the history between the Hassan brothers and their role in shaping Egypt's football identity. He asserted that some detractors are more focused on making him a “trend” than on national-team progress, famously declaring: “Mourn in your envy—death by envy is not a strategy.”

He went further, arguing that comparisons with other coaches, like Rogério Mikali (the Brazilian who previously led the Olympic side), miss the point that national-team responsibility carries a heavier burden and responsibility, with Egypt’s pay structure and expectations tied to national performance rather than club-level prestige.

Hassan emphasized that every country builds a cadre of coaches and argued that African football is evolving, noting that World Cup qualification remains a difficult achievement and that key players' absences during November did not singularly derail the team’s form. He defended the decision to substitute goalkeeper Mohamed El Shennawi for Mostafa Shobier during the penalties, saying the latter anticipated penalties well and deserved the chance at the end of the match.

Latest updates from Ibrahim Hassan

Ibrahim Hassan, the team’s administrative head, described the Eye Cup performance as solid and the win over Cape Verde as an important morale-booster. He argued that while the Uzbekistan semifinal setback stung, Egypt created meaningful opportunities and showed improvement in the second half, underscoring that Cape Verde are a well-organised opponent and that the team’s overall trajectory remains positive as AFCON looms.

Looking ahead, Egypt are now gearing up for AFCON in Morocco, running from December 21 to January 18. They are drawn in Group B alongside Zimbabwe, Angola, and South Africa, with matches scheduled against Zimbabwe on December 22, South Africa on December 26, and Angola on December 29. The Pharaohs’ aim is to reclaim the African crown for the first time since 2010, a goal the nation has pursued repeatedly with seven continental titles to date.

Overall, the Al Ain Cup result provides a glimmer of encouragement and a reminder that the road to AFCON and beyond will demand both resilience and relentless focus from the squad and its leadership.

Punchline time

Sniper-level observation: Hassan’s post-match mic drop left more heat than the UAE sun—and it came with a smile that said,