Mohamed Salah and his Egyptian teammates have gathered in Cairo, marking their return for the national team’s first match since their impressive World Cup journey to the last-16. The Pharaohs are gearing up for a crucial phase, as they embark on their Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign.
A Fresh Start for Egypt
Egypt will begin this new chapter with two qualifiers for the Africa Cup of Nations. The first match will take place at the Cairo International Stadium against Angola on September 29, followed by a trip to Juba to face South Sudan. A friendly encounter against South Africa is also scheduled for October 4. The upcoming Africa Cup of Nations, titled Pamoja 2027, is set to take place from June 19 to July 17 next year, co-hosted by Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania. The term “Pamoja” translates to “together” in Swahili, highlighting the collaborative spirit of the tournament’s host nations.
The Pharaohs are placed in Group B alongside Angola, South Sudan, and Malawi. As seven-time champions, Egypt is looking to assert their dominance in these qualifiers and maintain momentum from their World Cup performance. This aims to rekindle Egypt’s reputation as a powerhouse in African football, especially after not having won the continental title since 2010 and not reaching the final since 2021. Defender Mohamed Hany emphasized the importance of maintaining the team’s World Cup identity as they embark on this new journey.
Building a Unified Team
The Egyptian Football Association (EFA) has shown renewed confidence in coaches Hossam Hassan and Ibrahim Hassan by extending their contracts until 2030. During a recent training camp celebration, Salah spoke highly of the Hassan twins, praising their role in fostering team spirit and a positive atmosphere that maximizes player performance. This new era holds significant importance for Hossam Hassan, especially following some off-field challenges since the World Cup. He expressed gratitude for the fans’ enthusiasm and highlighted that their performance has sparked optimism among the Egyptian public.
The squad for these crucial qualifiers remains largely unchanged from the World Cup roster. Key players like Salah, Omar Marmoush, and Mostafa Ziko will be instrumental in leading the Egyptian attack. However, the defense faces challenges with injuries sidelining both Yasser Ibrahim and Hamdy Fathy. As a result, 23-year-old Omar Fayed from Serie A’s Frosinone has received his first call-up. Additionally, Mahmoud Trezeguet is also injured, and Marwan Attia will miss the Angola game due to suspension. Despite missing out, Mostafa Shobeir’s impressive World Cup performance establishes him as Egypt’s first-choice goalkeeper, even amidst rumors of a rift with the manager.
Looking to the Future
At 34, Salah remains the pulse of the Egyptian national team, but this transition period provides an opportunity to identify future stars who can carry the Pharaohs forward. Omar Marmoush, who has not scored in an official competitive match since May 2023, aims to find the back of the net in the upcoming fixtures. These matches serve as a crucial platform for him to break his scoring drought.
Young talent Hamza Abdelkarim recently signed a contract with FC Barcelona that keeps him at the club until 2030. At just 18, he has already made an impact in La Liga and could significantly contribute to the national team. Haissem Hassan, another promising player who shone during the World Cup, is also returning to the fold, albeit currently dealing with an injury. His rehabilitation efforts will be crucial as the team prepares for their qualifiers, leaving Egyptian fans optimistic about the future of their football.