Senegal captain Kalidou Koulibaly has set the tone for his team’s Africa Cup of Nations 2025 semi‑final clash with Egypt, insisting the match will be fiercely contested while expressing deep respect for the Pharaohs’ quality and achievements. The Teranga Lions are preparing to face Egypt in Tangier on Wednesday for a place in the AFCON final.
In his latest media briefing ahead of the game, Koulibaly acknowledged Senegal’s past success over Egypt, including their triumph in the final of the previous AFCON, but stressed that every game writes its own story and that the upcoming contest will be far from straightforward. “It’s true that we beat Egypt in the final of the (2021) AFCON, but every match has its own story,” he said, highlighting both sides’ strong tournament performances.
“This semi‑final will be very difficult. We have enormous respect for this Egyptian team, which fully deserves its place. They had a good tournament, just like us. It might be a tight match, but we will do everything to win it.
As captain, Koulibaly also spoke about his role in guiding the squad’s mindset and unity ahead of the high‑stakes match. He emphasised that his approach will remain consistent regardless of the opponent and that his instructions are rooted in maintaining focus, tactical discipline, and adaptability.
5“It’s not because we’re facing Egypt that I’m going to change the way I give instructions. It’s always tricky to reveal all the details. We know their strengths, and they know ours. It’s up to us to stay focused for as long as possible, stick to our game plan, play our game, and seize every opportunity to punish them.”
Egypt earned their place in the semi‑final with a narrow victory over defending champions Ivory Coast, showcasing their own resilience and tactical prowess.
Senegal and Egypt’s meeting rekindles one of African football’s notable rivalries — a repeat of the 2021 AFCON final where Senegal emerged victorious via penalties.
With both teams boasting experienced leaders and world‑class talent, the stage is set for a captivating battle for a place in the AFCON final.
Leave feedback about this