Kalidou Koulibaly: “Predictions favored 3 teams, rarely did anyone mention Egypt”

Senegal captain Kalidou Koulibaly has shared his thoughts ahead of the highly anticipated clash between Egypt and Senegal at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.

The two sides will meet tomorrow, Wednesday evening, at the Ibn Battouta Stadium in Tangier, Morocco, in the semi-finals of AFCON 2025.

Speaking during the pre-match press conference, Koulibaly said:
“We know the Egypt national team very well. They are a team with great experience and have players who are used to playing in the Africa Cup of Nations.”

He added:
“Most of the predictions were in favor of Senegal, Morocco, Algeria and Nigeria, and rarely did anyone mention Egypt. However, they made their way quietly and certainly deserve to be in the semi-finals.”

The Senegal defender continued:
“It will be a big match against a great team on the continental level. We will play with our own strengths, and we know we are capable of putting them under pressure. We have done that before, and we will try to repeat it tomorrow.”

Koulibaly concluded by highlighting Senegal’s experience at this stage of the tournament:
“Senegal have played in three semi-finals in the last four editions of the Africa Cup of Nations, and this proves that we have great experience.”

Senegal came out on top in their most recent encounter with Egypt, winning on penalties to secure qualification for the 2022 FIFA World Cup and also beating Egypt in the 2022 AFCON final.

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