Behind the scenes of Mohamed Salah's brilliance with Hossam Hassan in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations
In exclusive statements to Okaz newspaper, Ibrahim Hassan, the director of the Egyptian national football team, revealed the detailed behind-the-scenes events that accompanied the Pharaohs’ camp during the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, highlighting the pivotal role played by the technical staff, led by his brother Hossam Hassan, in restoring the psychological and mental balance of the team’s captain and global star, Mohamed Salah.
Liverpool overcomes crisis
Ibrahim Hassan explained that Mohamed Salah joined the national team camp under considerable psychological pressure due to his recent instability with his club, Liverpool. The relationship between the "Egyptian Pharaoh" and his Dutch coach, Arne Slot, has been noticeably strained, evidenced by Salah's frequent benching and public disagreements between the two, raising concerns among Egyptian fans about their star player's readiness to lead the national team in the continental tournament.
Hossam Hassan's philosophy of containment
The national team manager confirmed that Hossam Hassan, with his extensive experience as one of the legends of African football, understood from the outset the necessity of separating Salah's problems in England from his national duty. The "Dean" (Hassan's nickname) treated Salah not just as a tactical player, but as a leader and partner in responsibility, granting him absolute trust and leadership authority both on and off the pitch. This proved to be a magical effect in restoring the player's former brilliance.
The spirit of one family
Ibrahim Hassan noted that the atmosphere within the camp was extremely positive, with the coaching staff successfully creating a "family-like" environment, a description Salah himself used in his recent statements. This collective support helped the captain overcome his frustration, transforming the current camp into one of the best gatherings of his international career, which was immediately reflected in his strong performances in matches.
The finals complex and the dream of a first title
This psychological support takes on added importance given the historical context of Mohamed Salah's career with the national team; the Pharaohs' all-time leading scorer is seeking to break his finals curse. Salah came close to victory on two previous occasions: first in the 2017 final against Cameroon, and then in the painful 2021 final against Senegal. This makes the 2025 edition a golden opportunity to secure his first continental title and cement his place alongside the legends of Egypt's golden generation.
Revenge match against Senegal
After leading the national team to a thrilling 3-2 victory over Ivory Coast in the quarterfinals, Mohamed Salah and his teammates face a fiery encounter next Wednesday against Senegal in the semifinals. This match is considered an "early final" and a revenge match for the Pharaohs, who are seeking redemption against the "Lions of Teranga" who snatched the previous title and the World Cup qualification ticket in a penalty shootout. This places a historic responsibility on Salah and Hossam Hassan to bring joy to the Egyptian fans and move one step closer to an eighth star.
