FORMER Egypt football captain has been appointed as coach of local club Masri, taking over from Juan Alves who was sacked last week. "It's a new challenge for me. It will be my first experience as a coach and I am quite excited," Hassan said. The former striker is Africa's most capped footballer and played for Masri during his illustrious career. He played 168 times for Egypt, including winning three Africa Nations Cup titles, and played in the 1990 World Cup finals in Italy. His 80 international goals are also an African record. Hassan turned out for Egypt's most successful clubs Ahli and rivals Zamalek as well as having a successful spell with Tersana. Hassan's final stint as a player was an unsuccessful one with the Alexandria-based club Ittihad last year. The 42-year-old failed to secure a contract as a player in the January transfer window, leading him to work as a football analyst for Egyptian TV before being offered the Masri job. Masri are based in the coastal city of Port Said and are currently 14th in the Egyptian top division after losing 1-0 to Suez Cement. Hassan will be assisted by his twin brother Ibrahim, who is also taking an administrative role at the club. Alves is not the first coach to be dismissed this season by Masri. Helmi Toulan was sacked in November.
