Late Drama, Sharp Takes: Hazem Emam Slams Egypt's Finishing, Salah Delivers in AFCON Opener
23 December 2025
Hazem Emam's critique after the opener
Hazem Emam, the former Zamalek star, launched a scathing attack on Egypt's players for wasting numerous clear-cut chances against Zimbabwe in the opening AFCON match, a 2-1 victory for the Nile's sons in stoppage time.
He told TV commentators that the team produced a strong showing and dominated proceedings from start to finish, describing the encounter as one-way traffic in favor of the Pharaohs, though a last-ditch finishing issue nearly spoiled the clear supremacy.
Emam expressed astonishment at the team waiting until the 90th minute to seal the win via Mohamed Salah, after crafting over 35 attacking attempts across two halves, noting that such a tally should have yielded early goals to spare the side late nerves.
He added that the coaching staff had done their job to perfection—controlling tempo, making substitutions, and locking the midfield—yet responsibility now rested on the players, who lacked focus and efficiency in front of goal.
Emam criticized the crosses, noting that converting 17 crosses without any successful header is a negative figure unworthy of the squad's names and experience.
The coach, the challenges ahead, and light-hearted takes
He warned the 'fox' against persisting easy-chance wastage, stressing that big fixtures, including the South Africa clash, will not gift the side this kind of opportunity.
Moreover, official international football is unforgiving; wasting two chances can invite goals that complicate the comeback.
Emam stressed that fans' sense of a hard-fought victory stemmed from the late decisive goal, while tactically the team had been superior for the full 90 minutes.
And he closed his statements by bluntly blaming players for lax finishing, suggesting some were treating their roles like a duty dodger, urging early finishes to spare nerves against strong opponents—where control doesn't hand out freebies.
Two quick punchlines to wrap up: If chances were patients, they'd be on the waiting list for a miracle.
The crosses tried hard at social distancing from the header—guess the headers were off today.
