AFCON: Hossam Hossam questions Queiroz’s Egypt tactics
Pharaohs legend Hossam Hassan does not believe Egypt coach Carlos Queiroz is doing a good job at AFCON 2021.
The record seven-time AFCON champions have advanced to the last 16 of the Cameroon tournament after finishing second in Group D but their performances have not convinced watchers.
Egypt were outplayed and beaten 1-0 by Nigeria in their preliminary pool game opener on January 11 and then laboured to similar 1-0 victories over Guinea Bissau and Sudan to finish second in Group D.
Hossam attacked Queiroz for keeping faith in underperformers during the group stages particularly captain Mohamed Salah who has produced some subdued displays in all three group games that he briefly punctuated with a goal in Egypt’s win over Guinea Bissau on January 15.
“Queiroz had failed in managing the Sudan game,” Hossam told Kingfut.
“Salah played three Group stage games; he had many chances to make better shows.
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“I believe Salah should have been benched, Queiroz should have played the subs to prepare them for the Knock-out stages.
“Just like Messi and Ronaldo, Salah can be substituted, even if he’s in good form.
“Another mistake Queiroz made is not including Trezeguet in the starting 11 after the Nigeria game.”
Hossam is a three-time AFCON winner with gold medals in 1986, 1998 and 2006.
Meanwhile, Egypt face another huge test in the since losing to Nigeria when they face Cote d’Ivoire in the penultimate match of last 16 fixtures on January 26.