Egypt heads into Wednesday’s Africa Cup of Nations 2025 semi-final against Senegal at Ibn Batouta Stadium in Tangier with high stakes and clear challenges.
The Pharaohs face three critical factors they must navigate to keep their title hopes alive: player discipline, match officiating, and potential provocations from Senegal and its supporters.
Six Egyptian players, Mohamed El-Shenawy, Ahmed Fathi, Hamdy Fathy, Marwan Attia, Hossam Abdelmajid, and Rami Rabia, are at risk of suspension due to yellow card accumulation.
Any booking in the semi-final could rule them out of a potential final, representing a major blow to the team’s depth and tactical options.
The squad must therefore maintain composure while countering Senegal’s physically imposing style of play.
Officiating is another concern. Gabonese referee Pierre Achou came under heavy criticism for his handling of VAR in the Algeria-Nigeria quarter-final, with clear errors either ignored or insufficiently reviewed.
Egyptian officials and players will need to remain vigilant and adapt to potential refereeing inconsistencies to avoid decisions working against them at a crucial stage.
Finally, psychological pressure from Senegal and its fans could be significant. The Teranga Lions defeated Egypt in two major encounters four years ago, including the 2021 AFCON final.
Pre-match tensions have already surfaced online, though Senegal’s spokesperson Kara Thiong denied any intention to provoke the Pharaohs. Managing emotions and staying focused on the pitch will be key for Egypt to avoid being unsettled by external distractions.
Coach Hossam Hassan’s side, led by Mohamed Salah, will aim to combine tactical discipline, mental resilience, and on-field focus to overcome these challenges and book their place in the AFCON 2025 final, keeping alive their quest for an eighth continental title.
