Former Egypt assistant coach Ayman Abdelaziz has addressed the Mohanad Lasheen penalty kick incident in the AFCON clash against DR Congo.
Lasheen, who came on just a few minutes before the penalty shootout, refused to take Egypt’s ninth and final penalty kick against DR Congo, forcing Mohamed Abou-Gabal to take it instead.
The keeper’s effort ended up hitting the bar before DR Congo keeper Lionel Mpasi scored the winning kick himself.
In a recent interview with MBC Masr, Ayman Abdelaziz, the former assistant coach to Rui Vitória, expressed his thoughts on the incident, which led to Egypt’s elimination.
Abdelaziz said: “Mohanad Lasheen not taking the penalty kick? Should we go down and beat him on the pitch?
“Lasheen was brought on because Hamdi Fathi and Marwan Ateya were booked, so we feared that one of them might be sent off; therefore, we subbed in Lashin.”
Abdelaziz defended the decision, saying: “During the penalty kicks, Lasheen refused to step up. The player was haunted by a past incident, but he should have taken responsibility even if he was afraid.
“If Abou-Gabal hadn’t missed the kick, Lasheen would have stepped up despite his fears. I don’t have the time or luxury to sit with every player and provide psychological treatment. This happens in a rehab facility.
“I won’t ask every player if they are psychologically qualified to take the kick or not. However, why did Abou-Gabal take the responsibility and step up to kick the ball?”