Egypt head coach Hossam Hassan has insisted that Mohamed El Shenawy’s omission from the national team squad is a technical decision, rejecting suggestions that a dispute influenced the goalkeeper’s absence.
El Shenawy, Egypt’s captain and one of the most experienced members of the squad, was left out of the team selected for the opening 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against Angola and South Sudan.
Speaking ahead of Egypt’s opening fixture, Hassan said reports that El Shenawy was carrying an injury did not change the basis of his selection decision.
“It is my technical point of view. He said that he was injured, but my choices are technical and his absence is technical,” Hassan said.
The coach nevertheless stressed that he continues to hold the Al Ahly goalkeeper in high regard despite leaving him out of the squad.
“El Shenawy is one of the leaders of the national team and one of the players I respect, but this is my technical point of view,” he added.
Hassan also appeared frustrated by questions about his relationship with individual players, arguing that the coach’s position should not be equated with that of any member of the squad.
“And then, let’s not equate the heads, guys. Every conference you say there is a problem between Hossam Hassan and a certain player. The coach is not supposed to be compared to any player,” he said.
El Shenawy’s absence therefore leaves Egypt without their regular captain as Hassan begins his latest qualifying campaign in charge of the Pharaohs.
Egypt will host Angola in their opening Group L fixture before travelling to face South Sudan in the second round.
Hassan will now look to begin the qualifying campaign positively as Egypt pursue a place at the 2027 AFCON finals in Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda.
