Senegal captain Kalidou Koulibaly has named Egypt’s Omar Marmoush as one of the most challenging forwards he faced during the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.
The Al Hilal defender highlighted the difficulty of containing the Manchester City striker, praising his technical skill and speed throughout the tournament.
Speaking to Winwin, Koulibaly said: “Toughest opponent in the AFCON? I cannot pick a single player, there are many good attackers and talented players in Africa. I cannot choose just one, but Marmoush was really one of the toughest forwards I have played against.”
Senegal crowned champions amid high stakes
Senegal secured their second AFCON title with a 1-0 victory over hosts Morocco in the final on Sunday. The Teranga Lions’ triumph was historic, capping a tournament where Koulibaly played a key defensive role before missing the final due to suspension.
He received a yellow card in the semi-final clash against Egypt, ruling him out of the decisive match.
Early struggles and injury against Egypt
Koulibaly’s battles against Marmoush were particularly intense during Senegal’s semi-final encounter. The defender faced several difficult moments trying to neutralize the Egyptian attacker before sustaining a muscular injury while attempting to clear the ball.
Despite his absence in the final, Koulibaly’s leadership and defensive contributions were vital to Senegal’s title run.
Message to Al Hilal fans
The Senegalese international also addressed supporters of his club, Al Hilal, expressing gratitude for their support and optimism about his return. “I thank the Al Hilal supporters for their backing. I am proud and happy, and I look forward to returning stronger with Al Hilal and playing with them again,” Koulibaly said.
