Mohamed Salah, the Egyptian national team captain and Trabzonspor forward, has avoided making any direct comments regarding the dismissal of head coach Hossam Hassan. Following Al Ahly’s 3-0 victory over Sikka Hadid in the Egypt Cup, Salah’s recent social media interaction with Al Ahly defender Mohamed Hany has ignited intense speculation about his stance on the coaching change.
The timing of this digital exchange is critical. It follows the Egyptian Football Association’s announcement to terminate the tenure of Hossam Hassan and his brother Ibrahim Hassan, subsequently appointing Ali Maher to lead the national team. While Salah’s interaction with Hany appeared lighthearted, the lack of a formal statement from the team’s talismanic leader comes amid reports of friction between the player and the former coaching staff.
Hany Influences Al Ahly Win and Egypt Cup Progress
- Player Value: Mohamed Hany delivered two assists and played a prominent role in Al Ahly’s attacking build-up during the win over Sikka Hadid. Hany, who started the match, struck a powerful shot that hit the crossbar in the 17th minute before his playmaking success later in the game.
- National Team Stability: The transition to Ali Maher comes with open questions over how the captain and senior players relate to the new staff, after reported reservations about the previous technical staff’s handling of players.
- Egypt Cup Bracket: Al Ahly advanced to the Round of 16, where the team awaits the winner of the Suez Petrol vs. Delfi match.
Salah Predicts Hany Assists for Zizo Goals
The conversation surfaced after Mohamed Hany shared screenshots of a WhatsApp chat with Salah on his official social media accounts. The prediction proved accurate; Hany provided the service for both of Ahmed Sayed Zizo’s goals in the 25th and 36th minutes.
The exchange began when Salah asked who Al Ahly’s opponent was for the day. When Hany replied it was Sikka Hadid, Salah responded by predicting the defender’s performance, writing, That is great… two assists this time then… may God be with you.
Hany replied, Amen, my dear, my dear Momo,
to which the national team captain responded with a red heart and a kissing face emoji. After the match, Hany returned to the chat to confirm the prediction, writing, Two assists today, any service?
accompanied by a laughing emoji, prompting the Trabzonspor star to reply, At your service.
On the pitch, Al Ahly displayed clinical efficiency to secure the 3-0 win at Cairo International Stadium. While Hany provided the assists for Zizo’s brace, Omar El Saie added the third goal in the 77th minute to seal the progression to the Round of 16. This victory ensures Al Ahly’s advancement to the Round of 16 of the tournament.
لما فخر العرب يتوقع حاجة 😎@MoSalah pic.twitter.com/oxD86WFZdD
| Player | Stat Category | Match Detail (vs Sikka Hadid) |
|---|---|---|
| Mohamed Hany | Assists | 2 |
| Ahmed Sayed Zizo | Goals | 2 |
| Omar El Saie | Goals | 1 |
The Silent Leadership Amidst Coaching Turmoil
The core of the controversy lies in Salah’s silence. While the WhatsApp messages were lighthearted, the national team setup is facing significant tension. Reports have previously linked Salah to disagreements with Hossam Hassan, specifically following his substitution during the Angola match and his subsequent departure from the national team camp.
Adding weight to the rumors of internal friction, Hany Abu Rida, the President of the Egyptian Football Association, reportedly traveled to Turkey to meet with Salah. The trip came amid talk of reservations held by the captain regarding the previous technical staff’s handling of players.
Tactical Implications for the National Team Transition
The Egyptian Football Association ended the tenure of Hossam Hassan, thanked him and his brother Ibrahim Hassan, and tasked Ali Maher with leading the national team. The relationship between Salah and the new coaching staff remains a central question, given the reported reservations the captain held regarding the previous technical staff’s handling of players.
The questions here extend beyond the dismissal itself. The reported trip by Hany Abu Rida, the President of the Egyptian Football Association, to Turkey to meet with Salah shows how sensitive the moment is.
As Egyptian football settles following the weekend's upheaval, the focus shifts from Al Ahly's domestic cup success to the internal restructuring of the Pharaohs. Whether Salah’s silence reflects a deliberate choice not to comment on the dismissal or a preference to stay away from the surrounding controversy remains an open question.
Commenting on the shared chat, Hany wrote, When the Pride of the Arabs predicts something.
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