As Egypt will kick off their campaign against Zimbabwe on Monday, Egypt head coach Hossam Hassan has insisted that Mohamed Salah remains completely focused and highly motivated ahead of the Africa Cup of Nations, despite ongoing questions about his future at Liverpool.
Egypt has been drawn in Group B alongside South Africa and Angola, with all of their group-stage matches set to take place in Agadir.
According to AFP, Hassan praised Salah’s attitude in training, saying the forward has shown remarkable enthusiasm since joining the national team camp.
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“Salah’s spirit in training is excellent, as if he is playing his first games with the national team,” Hassan said. “I am confident he will have a strong tournament. His motivation is extremely high.”
Hassan also highlighted Salah’s status in world football, describing him as one of the game’s elite players and reaffirming his full support for the Liverpool star.
The comments come after a difficult period at club level, where Salah was left out of Liverpool’s last five matches before departing for the tournament.
Tensions appeared to rise following a Premier League draw with Leeds United, when Salah suggested he had been unfairly treated by new Liverpool coach Arne Slot, fueling speculation about a possible January transfer.
Hassan, however, downplayed the situation. “I don’t see this as a crisis,” he said. “Disagreements between players and coaches happen all the time. We’ve been in regular contact with Salah, and since he joined the camp, his focus has been solely on the competition.”
Salah is aiming to guide Egypt to a record eighth AFCON title. Despite his success at the club level, he has yet to win the tournament, having lost finals to Cameroon in 2017 and Senegal in 2022.
Hassan noted that Salah often elevates his performances when representing Egypt. “Whenever his form dips at club level, he comes back stronger with the national team,” he said. “He contributes with goals and assists, then returns to his club in even better shape.”
“He needs to win this trophy for Egypt and for himself,” Hassan concluded.
