Egypt coach rues missed chances after scrappy Zimbabwe win | OneFootball

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Egypt coach laments wasted opportunities in AFCON opener

Photo: Hossam Hassan

Egypt national team coach Hossam Hassan has lamented missed goal-scoring opportunities in his team's narrow 2-1 win over Zimbabwe in their Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) opener on Monday.

The Pharaohs had to come from behind to secure a victory over the Warriors, as talisman Mohamed Salah scored in stoppage time after Omar Marmoush had canceled out Prince Dube's opener.

Reflecting on the match with BeIN Sports, the 59-year-old tactician rued the wasted chances, and signaled intent to clinch the trophy despite acknowledging the competitive nature of the continental showpiece.

“We were unlucky in this game. We wasted many chances and made it harder than it should have been. I warned the players about this scenario and we have to learn the lesson,” said Hassan, who won the AFCON three times with Egypt as a player.

"There are no easy matches in this competition. We want to compete for the title. Egypt are a big nation in Africa and have the right to fight for the trophy.

On withdrawing Al Ahly star Emam Ashour in the 33rd minute, Hassan clarified that the decision was solely to shield the player from pressure, revealing that he is not fully fit after a long-term injury.

“Emam Ashour is a great player, but he is not fully fit yet after a long absence [due to injury]. I decided to take him off to protect him from the pressure,” he added.

Egypt are level on three points with South Africa, who beat Angola with the same 2-1 score line - and the two teams will lock horns for the top spot in Group B on Friday, 26 December.