Trezegui Breaks Africa’s Summit: Egypt’s Horizon Tightens On Mane
14 January 2026
Match Context
Mahmoud Hassan "Trezeguet" marked a notable milestone in the AFCON 2025 semifinal between Egypt and Senegal, played at Ibn Batouta Stadium in Tangier on January 14, 2026.
Turning Points and Stakes
Egypt coach Hossam Hassan brought Trezeguet on as a second-half substitute for Ahmed Fattouh, aiming to boost the Pharaohs' attacking threat after a goalless first half.
According to Stats Foot, Trezeguet is the most-capped AFCON player since 2017, having appeared in 26 matches, a figure that matches Senegal's Sadio Mane, underscoring his vast continental experience.
Egypt enters the clash under the banner "revenge and nothing else," seeking to redeem themselves against the Lions of Teranga following the painful memories of the 2021 final, plus the looming World Cup playoff.
Senegal, meanwhile, aims to extend their recent dominance over Egypt, reinforce their continental prestige, and treat this as an early final that could shape the balance of power in the region.
Punchline 1: If patience were a sport, this semifinal would need a global audience. Punchline 2: When Mane and Trezeguet share the stage, even the ball runs faster to keep up.
