When a Press Conference Turned Tense: Egypt's Coach Faces Moroccan Question Chaos at AFCON 2025
16 January 2026
Background
The post-match press conference for the Egypt vs Nigeria encounter in AFCON 2025 started off calm but quickly heated as Egypt's coach, Hossam Hassan, confronted a Moroccan journalist in the room.
The session was intended to preview the third-place decider, yet a provocative line accusing Hassan of shifting blame for Egypt's failure to reach the final and their 1-0 loss to Senegal turned it into a tense scene.
The Conference Fallout
Hassan spoke with measured anger, arguing that the journalist lacked journalistic tact and that the question was disrespectful, choosing not to respond further as the room fidgeted.
Other Moroccan reporters joined in, directing criticism at the Pharaohs' coach over alleged past insinuations about Morocco, while Egyptian journalists expressed unease at the tone of the session.
In a show of solidarity, the Egyptian journalists staged a protest by withdrawing from the conference, deeming the proceedings an overstep against Hassan's dignity.
Earlier in the tournament, Egypt had fallen to Senegal in the semis, while Nigeria were eliminated by Morocco on penalties after a goalless draw, leaving the country to focus on tomorrow's third-place decision.
Aftermath and Next Steps
The third-place match was scheduled for the following day, with both teams hopeful for a consolation after tough semifinals and a media glare that lingered in the air.
Punchline 1: If questions were goals, Moroccan reporters would be leading scorers—and Hassan would be booked for excessive celebrations of silence.
Punchline 2: They say football is a game of inches; in press conferences it's a game of nerve, and today the headlines scored a hat-trick while the coach kept his cards close to his chest.
