Coach Hassan Plays Down Mohamed Salah Distraction As Egypt Open AFCON Campaign

Egypt head coach Hossam Hassan has brushed aside concerns over Mohamed Salah’s club situation, insisting the forward is fully focused and in high spirits as the Pharaohs begin their Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) quest in Morocco.

The seven-time champions open Group B against outsiders Zimbabwe, with Salah set to lead the line despite recent turbulence at Liverpool.

The 33-year-old arrived at the tournament after an emotional episode in England that followed his omission from several league matches, but Hassan says the episode has had no lasting effect.

“Salah’s morale in training is very high, as if he were just starting out with the national team, and I believe he will have a great tournament with his country,” Hassan told reporters at Sunday’s pre-match press conference.

“I feel his motivation is very, very strong. Salah is an icon and will remain so. He is one of the best players in the world, and I support him in everything he does.”

Naija News reports that Salah did not start any of Liverpool’s final five fixtures before travelling for the Cup of Nations. Matters escalated after a Premier League draw at Leeds United, when he suggested he had been “thrown under the bus” by Anfield boss Arne Slot.

The remarks fuelled speculation that a January move away from the Premier League champions could be on the cards.

Hassan, however, played down the situation and stressed that the forward’s attention is firmly on the task at hand.

“I don’t consider what happened to him to be a crisis. These things often happen between players and coaches,” he said.

“We’ve been in contact with him by phone from the beginning, and I met with him when he joined the national team camp. His focus is entirely on the tournament.”

Salah is chasing an elusive first AFCON title, hoping to guide Egypt to a record-extending eighth title. He previously fell short in finals against Cameroon in 2017 and Senegal in 2022. However, his current form has already helped Egypt book a place at the next World Cup.

The Pharaohs arrive with confidence after an unbeaten qualifying campaign and are widely tipped as one of the teams to beat.

“Whenever Salah’s performances dip with his club, he regains his strength with the national team and becomes even better, whether by contributing to goals or scoring himself. Then he returns to his club even stronger,” Hassan added.

“He needs to win the cup by helping us and by helping himself.”

After facing Zimbabwe, Egypt will also meet South Africa and Angola in Group B. All three of their first-round matches at the AFCON will be staged in Agadir, as the tournament unfolds across Morocco.