As Egypt prepares to face Angola in the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) on Tuesday, head coach Hossam Hassan has tempered the team’s expectations for victory, emphasizing the unpredictability of the tournament. In a press conference on Sunday, Hassan stated, “There is nothing called an easy team in Africa. They develop very fast due to the presence of the players in the European leagues and across the whole world.”
He pointed out that even teams without players in Europe have members competing in Arabian leagues, which adds to their competitive edge. “We played two matches in the group; I need someone to tell me which team is weak? I didn’t see a weak team in any of the groups. Results no one would expect,” he added.
Egypt, led by star forward Mohamed Salah from Liverpool, has secured qualification for the knockout stages of the tournament. A victory against Angola would position the team at the top of Group B.
The ongoing AFCON 2025 features 24 teams from all over Africa and is organized by the Confederation of African Football. This year marks the 35th edition of the tournament, hosted by Morocco, which has previously welcomed the event. Beginning on December 21, the tournament will consist of 52 matches held in nine newly constructed or renovated stadiums across eight cities. The tournament finale is slated for January 18 in Rabat.
As the competition progresses, fans and players alike are excited about the potential for surprising outcomes, reflecting the growing competitiveness of African football on a global stage.