Developments in Hassan Shehata's health condition and the truth about his death before the Senegal match
A sense of relief swept through Egyptian sports circles after news broke of the health of Captain Hassan Shehata , the legendary coach of the Egyptian national team, following alarming rumors of his death. It was confirmed that "The Teacher" had returned home to continue his recovery, dispelling the fears that had gripped Egyptian and Arab football fans.
Developments in the teacher's health condition
Journalist Karim Hassan Shehata, son of the renowned coach, confirmed that his father has been discharged from the hospital and is now in stable condition, with his health gradually improving. He explained that "The Teacher" underwent a delicate and complex pancreatic surgery that lasted approximately 14 hours to control health complications resulting from high bilirubin levels and their direct impact on the liver and gallbladder. Shehata is currently following a strict home treatment program under medical supervision to ensure a full recovery.
Visiting Amr Zaki and reminiscing about 2006
In a heartwarming gesture reflecting the deep bond between Shehata and his players, the coach's home witnessed a flurry of visits from Egyptian football stars, most notably Amr Zaki . This visit was more than just a casual check-up; it brought to mind one of the most memorable moments in African football history during the 2006 Africa Cup of Nations semi-final against Senegal. At that time, Shehata made the bold decision to substitute Ahmed Hossam "Mido" with Amr Zaki, who scored the winning goal immediately after coming on, leading Egypt to the final and ultimately the title, thus ushering in a golden era.
A golden era and an unforgettable legacy
The name Hassan Shehata cannot be mentioned without acknowledging his unprecedented historical achievement: leading the Egyptian national team to three consecutive Africa Cup of Nations titles (2006, 2008, 2010). This accomplishment placed Egypt at the pinnacle of African football for years and made Shehata a symbol of successful national coaching. His era was characterized by tactical discipline and a high fighting spirit, qualities the current national team desperately needs to emulate.
Confronting Senegal and renewing the historical rivalry
This reassuring news about the coach's health comes as the Egyptian national team prepares for a fiery semi-final match in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations against Senegal this Wednesday. Matches between Egypt and Senegal are considered a "classic" in Africa, carrying with them contrasting memories
- The difficult beginnings (1986): When Senegal won the opening match of the tournament in Cairo, before the Pharaohs returned and won the title.
- The 2021 and 2022 complex: where the Egyptian national team lost the Africa Cup of Nations final on penalties, and the scenario was repeated in the World Cup qualifiers in the famous laser incident.
- Historical superiority: Despite the recent fierce competition, history leans slightly in favor of the Pharaohs with 7 victories compared to 6 for the Lions of Teranga in all encounters.
While Hassan Shehata watches the match from his home, the current generation of players hopes to give their historic coach a gift by achieving victory and advancing to the final, drawing determination from the fighting spirit of the coach's squad that knew no impossible.
