The Egyptian national team's coach, Hassam Hassan, expressed his discontent with the referees' performance after the 0-0 draw with Angola in the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers. The match, which took place on September 26, 2026, was marked by controversy, with Hassan and his brother, Ibrahim Hassan, manager of the team, approaching the referees to voice their concerns. The Egyptian team's technical staff was unhappy with several decisions made by the referees during the game.
According to sources, Hassan and Ibrahim Hassan focused their criticism on the referees' failure to add sufficient stoppage time, considering the frequent interruptions and time-wasting during the second half. The Egyptian team's staff felt that the referees were lenient with Angolan players, who were involved in several strong and violent collisions with Egyptian players. Hassan and Ibrahim Hassan believed that the referees failed to provide adequate protection to the Egyptian players.
The incident occurred after the final whistle, when Hassan and Ibrahim Hassan walked towards the referees to express their discontent. The situation could have escalated, but members of the team's administrative staff intervened to calm the situation and prevent further confrontation. The draw was a disappointing result for Egypt, which had been expected to win the match.
The match was the first for Egypt in the AFCON qualifiers, and the team will look to bounce back in their next fixture. The Egyptian team's fans and pundits have been criticizing the team's performance, and the draw has raised concerns about the team's chances of qualifying for the tournament. Hassan's criticism of the referees has also sparked debate among football fans and experts.
The African Football Confederation (CAF) has not yet commented on the incident, but it is likely that the matter will be reviewed. The Egyptian Football Association may also investigate the incident and take necessary actions. The team's next match will be crucial in determining their chances of advancing to the AFCON.
Egypt is considered one of the top teams in African football, with a record of seven AFCON titles. However, the team's recent performances have been inconsistent, and the draw with Angola has raised concerns about the team's current form. Hassan, a former Egyptian international, was appointed as the team's coach earlier this year, and he will be under pressure to deliver a good result in the team's next match.
The draw with Angola has put Egypt in a challenging position in the AFCON qualifiers. The team will need to win their remaining matches to qualify for the tournament. The Egyptian team's fans are eagerly waiting for the team's next match, which will be a crucial test of the team's abilities and Hassan's coaching skills.
Key points
- Egypt coach Hassam Hassan criticizes referees after 0-0 draw with Angola in AFCON qualifiers
- Hassan unhappy with referees' failure to add sufficient stoppage time and leniency with Angolan players
- Draw puts Egypt in challenging position in AFCON qualifiers
