Egypt: Egypt Coach Hossam Hassan has praised his players’ determination after their dramatic 3-2 quarter-final win over holders Cote d’Ivoire at the 2025 CAF Africa Cup of Nations. Mohamed Salah scored and assisted as the Pharaohs resisted Ivory Coast pressure, with clinical finishing making the difference against the Elephants’ territorial dominance.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, Hassan emphasized that every match was treated as a final for the team. “Since we arrived, I’ve always said that every match is like a final for us. That’s our approach for every opponent,” he stated. Hassan expressed pride in his players’ effort and their qualification. “I’m very happy about our qualification. The players gave everything, and I’m proud of them,” Hassan said.
Hassan credited preparation for the team’s performance, acknowledging the challenge posed by the reigning champions. “We knew they were the reigning champions. We respected them and put a plan in place, which worked today,” he explained. Despite admitting to mistakes that cost goals, Hassan remained confident. “It’s true we made mistakes that led to two goals, but we scored three. We will correct these shortcomings for the next matches,” he concluded.