Egypt’s national football team coach, Hossam Hassan, has downplayed the significance of the third-place playoff match against Nigeria’s Super Eagles at the Africa Cup of Nations, describing it as a formality. Despite this, Hassan expressed satisfaction with his team’s performance, noting that they had aimed for a third-place finish but ultimately lost to Nigeria in a penalty shootout.
The Super Eagles, who rested key players such as Wilfred Ndidi, Victor Osimhen, and Frank Onyeka, continued their strong showing in third-place games at the tournament. The match ended goalless after regular time, with Nigeria winning 4-2 in the penalty shootout. Super Eagles goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali was named Man of the Match for his outstanding performance, which included saving two penalty kicks from Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah and Manchester City’s Omar Marmoush.
In a press conference, Hassan acknowledged his team’s disappointment at not achieving their goal but highlighted the valuable lessons learned from the match against Nigeria. “Facing Nigeria was certainly a formality, but we were aiming for third place and we lost on penalties,” Hassan said. “Despite that, I am satisfied with the performance. We need to work together to prepare for the World Cup matches and help the Egyptian national team do their best.”
The Super Eagles’ victory marked their eighth third-place win at the Africa Cup of Nations, a record unmatched by any other country in the competition’s history. This achievement underscores Nigeria’s consistent performance in the tournament. As the teams look ahead to future competitions, including the World Cup, they will aim to build on their strengths and address areas for improvement. With the Africa Cup of Nations coming to a close, the focus will shift to the upcoming international football calendar, with teams gearing up for the challenges ahead.
