Egypt head coach Hossam Hassan insisted his side emerged from the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations with pride intact after the Pharaohs ended the tournament in fourth place following a penalty shootout defeat to Nigeria.
The seven-time champions were beaten 4-2 on penalties by the Super Eagles in Saturday’s third-place play-off at Stade Mohammed V in Casablanca, after a tense contest finished goalless in regulation time.
Misses from Mohamed Salah and Omar Marmoush ultimately proved decisive, handing Nigeria the bronze medal and leaving Egypt to reflect on a narrow and painful conclusion to their campaign.
Despite the disappointment of falling short in the final match, Hassan was clear in his assessment that Egypt’s overall performance across the tournament surpassed expectations that had surrounded the team before a ball was kicked.
“We delivered a strong tournament and I am proud of the players, the value of the Egypt national team, and what we achieved,” Hassan said, as quoted by Pan Africa Football.
“We exceeded expectations that were set for us before the tournament and did not let the Egyptian fans down.”
Egypt entered the competition with questions hanging over the squad, including concerns about balance, consistency and the pressure of competing against a new generation of African contenders.
However, the Pharaohs navigated their way deep into the tournament, remaining competitive against every opponent and pushing Nigeria all the way in the third-place encounter.
Hassan stressed that Egypt’s journey to the final weekend of the competition underlined the fine margins that often define success and failure at the highest level of international football.
“We reached the final day of the tournament, and it could have been either us or Nigeria reaching the final,” he explained. “Luck and small details made the difference. This would have been my opinion even if we had won today.”
The former Egypt striker also reflected on the cruelty of penalty shootouts, acknowledging that such moments can undo weeks of effort in a matter of seconds.
While Salah and Marmoush both saw their spot-kicks saved, Hassan resisted the temptation to single out individuals, instead framing the outcome as a matter of fortune rather than failure.
“Penalty shootouts are about luck and fortune, and Nigeria have top-level players,” he added.
Egypt’s fourth-place finish, while short of a podium position, offered signs of encouragement for supporters who had hoped to see renewed competitiveness from the national side.
The Pharaohs demonstrated resilience, tactical discipline and an ability to remain composed under pressure, qualities Hassan believes are essential foundations moving forward.
Although the defeat in Casablanca denied Egypt a medal, Hassan’s message was one of reassurance rather than regret.
He maintained that the team honoured the shirt, respected the expectations of their supporters and restored belief in the national side’s capacity to compete with Africa’s elite.
As attention now turns beyond AFCON 2025, Egypt will seek to build on the positives highlighted by their head coach, using the experience of this campaign as a platform for future challenges rather than a moment of missed opportunity.
Tags: Egypt national team, AFCON 2025, Hossam Hassan, Pharaohs, Nigeria vs Egypt, African football, penalty shootout
