Hossam Hassan, the Egyptian national team coach, is facing a wave of criticism from both coaches and fans following the Pharaohs' painful 1-0 defeat to Senegal in the semi-finals of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations currently being held in Morocco. The only goal of the match was scored by star player Sadio Mane, securing Senegal's place in the final and leaving Egypt to compete for third place.
Senegal's complex and a history of fierce rivalry
This loss cannot be separated from the recent history of encounters between the two teams, as Senegal has become a footballing "bogey team" for the Pharaohs in recent years. This defeat reopens old wounds for Egyptian fans, who still remember losing the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations final and the 2022 World Cup qualifier against the same opponent. This fraught history has intensified public anger, as hopes were pinned on Hossam Hassan to break this curse and reclaim the continental title, which has eluded the most decorated team in the competition's history (7 titles) since 2010.
Reasons for the attack on the technical staff
The criticism focused primarily on Hossam Hassan's tactical approach, with numerous analysts and sports commentators agreeing that the national team displayed an overly defensive formation, particularly in the second half, which stifled their attacking identity. Individual and collective solutions capable of threatening Senegal's goal were absent, while the opponent dominated the midfield.
The criticism also extended to the team's management from the sidelines, specifically the delay in making substitutions that could have injected fresh energy and revitalized the attack after conceding the goal. Experts pointed out that the players' declining fitness in the final minutes warranted a quicker intervention from the coaching staff, in addition to raising questions about the exclusion of some key attacking players from the starting lineup or the failure to bring them on at the appropriate time.
Controversial statements and a confrontation with Nigeria
In a controversial response, Hossam Hassan didn't hesitate to blame the refereeing, stating after the match: "I wish FIFA would intervene in major tournaments like the Africa Cup of Nations, and I still maintain that there are some refereeing errors and there is no perfect justice in Africa." Despite this, the former coach defended his players, asserting that they delivered a great performance against one of the continent's strongest teams, and that small details determined the outcome.
All eyes are now on the crucial third-place match against the formidable Nigerian team. This match holds particular significance as it offers a chance to end the tournament on a high note and salvage some pride, in addition to its importance in the FIFA monthly rankings. The coaching staff is working to motivate the players to overcome their disappointment and secure a victory to make amends to the fans.
Absences and match date
The Egyptian national team will be without young defender Hossam Abdel-Maguid for this match, as his absence is confirmed due to an accumulation of yellow cards after receiving a caution in the Senegal game. The highly anticipated match against the "Super Eagles" is scheduled for 7:00 PM on Saturday, January 17th, where the Pharaohs will be aiming for at least a third-place finish to commemorate their efforts in the tournament.
