Egypt head coach Hossam Hassan has thrown his weight behind Mohamed Salah to fire the Pharaohs at the Africa Cup of Nations, even as the forward navigates a challenging spell at Liverpool.
Speaking ahead of Egypt’s Group B opener against Zimbabwe in Agadir, Hassan stressed that Salah’s mindset is sharp and his hunger is clear.
The skipper, he says, looks refreshed and fully locked in as Egypt begin their quest for a record-extending eighth continental crown.
“Salah’s morale in training is very high,” said Hassan on the eve of Egypt’s opening match in Group B against Zimbabwe in Agadir.
“It is as if he were just starting out with the national team. I believe he will have a great Cup of Nations tournament with his country.”
The spotlight has followed Salah after a tense period at Anfield. Liverpool boss Arne Slot left the 33-year-old out of the starting XI in the five matches before his AFCON departure.
Friction surfaced after the draw at Leeds United on December 6, when Salah suggested he had been unfairly blamed amid the club’s title defence struggles.
Yet, Hassan played down the noise. The former Egypt striker insists such moments are part of elite football and do little to dull Salah’s edge.
“I feel his motivation is very, very strong,” added Hassan who played 176 times for Egypt. “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.
“I don’t consider what happened to him to be a crisis. These things often happen between players and coaches,” Hassan continued.
Since arriving at Liverpool in 2017, Salah has built a glittering club resume. He has lifted nine trophies, including two Premier League titles and the Champions League.
However, international silverware has proved elusive, with AFCON final defeats in 2017 and 2022 still lingering.
Hassan believes the tournament offers the perfect stage for redemption. Historically, he notes, Salah often responds to club dips by raising his level for the national team.
“His focus is entirely on the tournament,” added Hassan. “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.”
As the whistle blows on Egypt’s campaign, all eyes will track Salah. For the Pharaohs, momentum now shifts to the pitch.
And for their captain, AFCON presents another chance to lead from the front.
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