Egypt sacked Hossam Hassan and appointed Ali Maher as his replacement six days before their Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Malawi.

The Egyptian Football Association (EFA) said its board had ended the tenure of head coach Hossam Hassan and his technical and administrative staff under the terms of their contracts following a meeting that began earlier in the day.

It cited recent events and their negative effect on the national team’s image and stability, without detailing individual incidents in the announcement.

Ali Maher has been asked to submit his proposed coaching staff

The appointment gives the Ceramica Cleopatra coach little preparation time before Egypt host Malawi at Cairo International Stadium on November 13. The return qualifier takes place in Malawi four days later, with the squad due to assemble on November 9.

Egypt lead Group B with four points, ahead of Angola on goal difference. Malawi have three points, while South Sudan are bottom without a point.

Maher was still in charge of Ceramica earlier on Saturday, overseeing their 3-2 win over Abu Qir Fertilizers in the Egypt Cup round of 32.

He previously coached Al Assiouty, Smouha, ENPPI and Al Masry, and won the Egyptian League Cup with Future in 2022 and Ceramica in 2025.

Hossam Hassan leaves after guiding Egypt to the last 16 of the 2026 World Cup and fourth place at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.

He and national team director Ibrahim Hassan had recently received three-match FIFA bans because of their comments following the World Cup defeat to Argentina.