TANGIERS, Morocco, Jan ‌13 (Reuters) - Egypt coach Hossam Hassan hailed the quality on display at the Africa ‌Cup of Nations as his side readied to play in Wednesday’s semi-final, calling ‌the month-long event in Morocco a “ferocious tournament”. The 59-year-old former striker should know better than most, winning three tournaments as a player and making the last of his seven tournament appearances at the age of 39. “The standard of African football has increased ‍markedly ​with the quality of players in each team being very impressive,” he said on Tuesday. Hassan has come in for some criticism after Egypt needed extra time to overcome Benin in the round of 16. Egypt teammate Mahmoud Trezeguet, like Salah, has lost in two previous Cup of Nations ​finals, but he has no doubt that Salah still has the quality to finish the job.

Source: The Star January 14, 2026 01:47 UTC