The Pharaohs dominated the ball at the Cairo International Stadium but failed to score. Mostafa Ziko had a goal ruled out for offside. Omar Marmoush missed a late chance. Goalkeeper Mostafa Shobeir kept Angola out before half-time. Possession finished about 66-34 in Egypt’s favour; the finishing did not match it.
Hassan left the media session without addressing the performance. The silence followed a week of tension around his squad choices. He had omitted Al Ahly captain and Egypt goalkeeper Mohamed El-Shenawy, saying the decision was technical and not solely about injury. He also said there had been a period when El-Shenawy was “finished” at club level and that the national team had helped restore him.
Al Ahly waited until after the Angola match, then issued a strong statement rejecting remarks they said damaged El-Shenawy’s standing. The club backed its captain and Emam Ashour, and said sporting disagreement did not justify crossing lines of respect. Egyptian FA president Hany Abo Rida had already defended El-Shenawy as one of the country’s loyal servants.
Egypt take one point from the first matchday. They next face South Sudan. A home stalemate against Angola was already a disappointing start. Hassan’s refusal to speak afterwards leaves the technical inquest and the public row with Al Ahly running in parallel.
Seven-time African champions expected a winning launch. They got a clean sheet, no goals and a coach who would not take questions.