Egypt captain Mohamed Salah has expressed delight and pride after his side edged past Côte d’Ivoire in a thrilling quarter-final encounter, at AFCON 2025 following a dramatic 3–2 victory that sent the Pharaohs into the semi-finals of the competition.
The encounter, played on Saturday night, lived up to expectations as two African heavyweights went head-to-head in one of the most entertaining matches of the tournament so far.
Egypt, seven-time champions of Africa, faced a Côte d’Ivoire side determined to defend their continental crown, setting the stage for a high-stakes battle filled with intensity, quality, and momentum swings.
From the opening whistle, Egypt showed clear intent, pressing high and moving the ball with confidence.
Hossam Hassan’s men were aware of the Ivorians’ physical strength and attacking threat, yet they refused to sit back, opting instead for a proactive approach that paid dividends early in the contest.
Their willingness to attack created openings and unsettled the defending champions, who struggled initially to impose their usual dominance.
Côte d’Ivoire responded with purpose, using their pace on the flanks and strength in midfield to wrestle control back into the game.
The Elephants found their rhythm and pushed Egypt onto the back foot, forcing the Pharaohs to rely on disciplined defending and quick transitions to remain competitive.
As the game opened up, goals followed, turning the quarter-final into a gripping spectacle for fans across the continent.
Mohamed Salah emerged as the defining figure of the night, once again proving his value to the national team.
The Liverpool forward scored a vital goal and provided an assist, contributing directly to two of Egypt’s three goals.
His sharp movement, vision, and composure under pressure consistently troubled the Côte d’Ivoire defence, earning him the Man of the Match award for his outstanding performance.
Speaking after the match, Salah was full of praise for his teammates, highlighting their unity, belief, and determination to succeed at AFCON 2025.
The captain emphasized that Egypt’s strength lies not only in individual talent but in the collective mindset that drives the team forward.
“I am very happy and proud to play with these guys,” Salah said. “We always want to bring joy to the Egyptian fans, and we believe we can win every match with this mindset.”
The Egyptian forward also acknowledged the quality of the opposition, describing the match as one of the toughest challenges the team has faced so far in the tournament.
Côte d’Ivoire, who lifted the AFCON title at the previous edition on home soil, showed why they are regarded as one of Africa’s elite sides.
“It was a difficult match,” Salah added. “The Ivorians won the AFCON last time at home. They played like champions today as well. But we gave everything, and I’m happy we managed to qualify.”
Egypt’s ability to respond under pressure proved decisive. Each time Côte d’Ivoire threatened to swing the game in their favour, the Pharaohs found a way to regain control, either through disciplined defending or decisive attacking moves.
The balance between experience and youthful energy within the squad was evident, as Egypt navigated tense moments with composure.
Salah also spoke about leadership and responsibility, stressing the importance of commitment whenever players step onto the pitch. His words reflected the mentality that has driven Egypt’s successful AFCON campaign so far.
“I always give my all for my team,” he said. “I try to bring my experience to help us achieve great things. I always tell my teammates to give everything as soon as they step on the pitch. It’s very important to do that so we have no regrets.”
The victory over Côte d’Ivoire represents a significant milestone in Egypt’s AFCON 2025 journey.
Eliminating the defending champions has boosted confidence within the camp and reinforced belief that the Pharaohs can challenge for the title once again.
The result also underlined the tactical discipline instilled by head coach Hossam Hassan, whose game plan allowed Egypt to remain compact while still posing a consistent attacking threat.
As the final whistle sounded, Egyptian players and supporters celebrated a hard-earned triumph that could prove pivotal in their quest for continental glory.
The match will be remembered not only for its goals and drama but also for the resilience and character shown by Egypt against one of Africa’s strongest sides.
Attention now turns to the semi-finals, where Egypt will face Senegal’s Teranga Lions in what promises to be another blockbuster encounter.
The clash, scheduled to take place in Tangier on Wednesday, will see two of Africa’s most accomplished teams battle for a place in the AFCON 2025 final.
Senegal, known for their physicality, tactical organization, and attacking firepower, present a formidable challenge.
However, Egypt’s performance against Côte d’Ivoire has demonstrated that they possess the tools, experience, and belief required to overcome any opponent.
With Mohamed Salah in inspired form and the squad united behind a common goal, the Pharaohs will head into the semi-final with confidence.
As AFCON 2025 reaches its decisive stages, Egypt’s victory over Côte d’Ivoire stands out as one of the tournament’s defining moments.
For Salah and his teammates, the focus remains firmly on the next challenge, with the ultimate aim of lifting the trophy and adding another chapter to Egypt’s rich footballing history.
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