Former Egypt international Wael Gomaa has voiced his disappointment over the Pharaohs’ failure to reach the final of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, describing their semi-final performance against Senegal as below the standards expected of the seven-time African champions.
Egypt were eliminated after a narrow 1-0 defeat to the Teranga Lions, who sealed victory with a late goal.
Speaking on beIN SPORTS after the match, Gomaa suggested that Egypt allowed Senegal to dictate the flow of the game, arguing that the team effectively surrendered initiative during the encounter. While acknowledging Egypt’s defensive focus, he pointed out that their approach ultimately failed to prevent danger.
“All the focus was on closing down crosses, which the Egyptian national team players succeeded in doing, but the danger ultimately came from outside the penalty area,” Gomaa said.
The former defender also highlighted what he saw as a major physical and tactical issue, noting that Egypt spent most of the match chasing the ball rather than controlling it.
He stressed that the lack of attacking threat was a worrying sign, revealing that Egypt managed just one shot late in stoppage time. According to Gomaa, this reflected the absence of a genuine offensive performance throughout the match.
Despite the disappointment, Gomaa acknowledged that Egypt’s overall run in the tournament had some positives when viewed in the context of the challenges facing the team.
However, he was clear that such considerations should not lower expectations for a nation with Egypt’s pedigree.
He insisted that merely reaching the semi-finals cannot be regarded as success for a team that has dominated African football for decades, stressing that the true benchmark remains reaching the final.
