The Language Clash at AFCON: When Egypt’s Coach Sparks a Dialect Debate

Ahead of AFCON third-place clash

Hossam Hassan, Egypt's national team coach, sparked a heated debate at a press conference before the third-place match against Nigeria in the Africa Cup of Nations.

The question center stage was delivered in Moroccan dialect, probing his anger at organizational decisions after the semi-final loss to Senegal.

Hassan replied that he does not understand Moroccan dialect, joking that they speak a different form of Arabic.

A journalist then rephrased the query in Egyptian Arabic, but Hassan said he was happy merely to reach the semi-finals.

The Moroccan reporter pressed again, and Hassan's response offended some in the room; he left the conference when the session ended.

Earlier, Hassan had clashed with another Moroccan journalist, calling the question disrespectful and refusing to answer.

Punchlines: If dialects counted as goals, Hassan would win every match. Also, the press conference clock ran longer than his answers — talk about extra time.