AFCON 2025: Koulibaly praises Egypt’s defensive solidity ahead of the clash with Senegal

On the eve of the Senegal vs Egypt clash in the AFCON 2025 semifinals, the captain of the Lions of Teranga, Kalidou Koulibaly, highlighted the Pharaohs’ experience and collective strength, promising a match of the very highest level.

Twenty-four hours before the highly anticipated Senegal vs Egypt clash in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, Kalidou Koulibaly set the tone. In a pre-match press conference on Tuesday, the captain of the Lions of Teranga spoke with clarity and respect toward the Pharaohs, opponents he knows inside out.

The Senegalese center-back stressed the solidity of the Egyptian squad, often left in the shadows in early predictions. “It’s a strong team, made up of players used to this kind of encounter”, he said, underscoring the experience and consistency of a group that has managed to reach this stage of the tournament without making a fuss.

For Koulibaly, Egypt’s presence at this level is no accident. Long eclipsed by other touted favorites, the Pharaohs have proven themselves on the pitch. Aware of the stakes, the Senegal captain promises an intense showdown: Senegal will approach this clash with determi­nation, its certainties and the explicit ambition to keep going toward the continental crown. “(…) tomorrow [Wednesday] will be a big match; we’ve done it before, we will go into it with our weapons and our ambitions,” said Kalidou Koulibaly.