Egypt’s "Last Chance" Tournament: 8 Major Hurdles Threatening the Pharaohs’ AFCON Campaign

Egypt enters the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco facing a perfect storm of internal strife and declining performance. Dubbed the "Last Chance" tournament, this edition represents a critical crossroads for a generation of players who are currently enduring the most challenging period of their professional careers.

The Professional Crisis: Salah, Marmoush, and Mostafa The team’s core international stars are in turmoil. Mohamed Salah is embroiled in a dispute with Liverpool, as his form dips and exit rumors intensify. Omar Marmoush, once the rising star, has become a "ghost" on Pep Guardiola’s bench at Manchester City. Meanwhile, striker Mostafa Mohamed faces a fractured relationship with head coach Hossam Hassan, who publicly labeled him a "quarter-professional."

Domestic Setbacks and Coaching Under Fire On the home front, star midfielder Imam Ashour is struggling to regain fitness after a 7-month injury hiatus. Goalkeeper Mohamed Shannawy is under fire for technical lapses and his inability to build play from the back. These challenges place immense pressure on Hossam Hassan, for whom this tournament is an ultimatum; any failure could result in his immediate dismissal amidst a wave of administrative criticism following the Arab Cup debacle.

Haunted by 2023 Failures Egypt is still haunted by its 2023 AFCON nightmare, where they failed to secure a single victory. With nearly the same squad, the pressure to redeem themselves before the 2026 World Cup is monumental. For the Egyptian FA and the coaching staff, Morocco is the final battleground to prove their worth to an unforgiving fanbase.