Egypt coach Hossam Hassan has claimed the national team previously revived the goalkeeper when he was “finished” at Al Ahly.

Egyptian Football Association (EFA) president Hany Abo Rida responded hours later with a public defence of the 37-year-old.

Hassan left veteran goalkeeper Mohamed El-Shenawy out of his squad for the September and October international window, as Egypt are set to face Angola and South Sudan in the AFCON 2027 qualifiers before hosting South Africa in a friendly.

El-Shenawy is currently injured and continuing his rehabilitation with Al Ahly. However, Hossam Hassan insisted that fitness played no part in his decision.

“The injury has nothing to do with his exclusion,” Hassan said during Thursday’s pre-Angola press conference. He described the decision as entirely technical.

Hassan then made stronger remarks while defending his authority over squad selection.

The Egypt coach said El-Shenawy had previously reached a stage where he was “finished” at club level and no longer playing regularly.

Hassan claimed that Egypt continued to select the goalkeeper during that period and argued that those appearances helped El-Shenawy regain his place and form at Al Ahly.

“We contributed to restoring El-Shenawy’s level,” Hassan said, adding that the national team had done the same with other players.

Hassan still called El-Shenawy one of Egypt’s senior players and captains, while denying any personal dispute between them.

However, he criticised the recurring questions over their relationship.

The former striker said “coaches must retain authority over squad decisions” and argued that every omission should not become evidence of a personal conflict.

He added that no two coaches would select the same 24 players from Egypt’s available pool.

Abo Rida responded later after journalists asked him about Hassan’s comments.

The EFA president described El-Shenawy as one of Egyptian football’s “loyal sons” and praised his achievements with both Egypt and Al Ahly.

He added that the federation holds El-Shenawy’s history and status as a player and captain in “great appreciation and respect.”

The Pharaohs begin their AFCON 2027 qualifying campaign against Angola at Cairo International Stadium on Friday.