Essam El Hadary, the legendary former Egyptian goalkeeper, has sent a message of encouragement to Mohamed El-Shenawy as Egypt prepares to face Senegal in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations semi-final on Wednesday, January 14, 2026.
Drawing on his own experience at the 2017 AFCON, El Hadary highlighted the mindset and resilience required to succeed under intense pressure.
“In 2017, we left our stadium and traveled to another city in Gabon to face Burkina Faso in the semi-final. The Burkinabe players were posting photos showing off their muscles, putting us under a kind of psychological pressure. But we put Egypt’s name before us, we beat them, and we qualified for the final,” El Hadary recalled.
The 52-year-old, who became the oldest player to participate in the Africa Cup of Nations in 2017, emphasized that the current situation bears similarities to his past challenge.
With Senegal looming as a formidable opponent, El Hadary believes that mental strength and leadership will be crucial for Egypt’s success.
“At the time, I contributed to the victory in the shootout, and I have unlimited confidence that El-Shenawy will be the decisive factor in tomorrow’s victory against Senegal,” he said. The former goalkeeper also praised El-Shenawy’s temperament, describing him as “a leader who always steps up at the right moment.”
El Hadary’s advice reflects the experience of navigating pressure in high-stakes AFCON matches, particularly when facing opponents who attempt psychological tactics.
His reminder of perseverance and national pride underscores the importance of unity and focus within the Pharaohs squad.
Mohamed El-Shenawy, the current captain and custodian of the Egyptian goal, has been integral to Egypt’s journey in the tournament so far.
With the semi-final at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat, the stakes are high, and Egypt will rely on both skill and composure to overcome Senegal, a team with recent continental success.
El Hadary’s words aim to inspire confidence and reinforce the notion that past triumphs can serve as a blueprint for overcoming adversity.
By invoking the memory of the 2017 semi-final victory over Burkina Faso, he seeks to instill a winning mentality and belief in El-Shenawy’s ability to influence the outcome under pressure.
As the Pharaohs prepare to face one of Africa’s toughest sides, the echoes of El Hadary’s experience remind both players and fans that composure, leadership, and determination remain as vital now as they were in his era.
