Tactical Respect or Mind Games? Hossam Hassan Claims Nigeria "Should Be" in the AFCON Final

Casablanca, Morocco — January 16, 2026

As the 35th edition of the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) nears its climax, the battle for the bronze medal has taken on an unexpected edge. Egypt’s head coach, Hossam Hassan, has turned the spotlight toward Nigeria with a series of high-praise remarks that many believe are designed to unsettle the Super Eagles ahead of Saturday's third-place playoff at the Mohammed V Stadium.

The Statement That Sparked the Buzz

Speaking at the pre-match press conference, Hassan did not hold back in his assessment of Nigeria’s semi-final exit against host nation Morocco.

"We'll be facing a formidable opponent in Nigeria," Hassan told reporters. "They are a great squad that made it to the last four. They could have made it to the final, but things happened otherwise. Honestly, seeing their quality throughout the tournament, one could say they deserved to be the finalists."

Why It’s Viewed as a "Mind Game"

In the high-stakes environment of continental football, such public flattery from a rival coach rarely comes without a secondary motive. By labeling Nigeria as the team that "should have been in the final," Hassan achieves three psychological objectives:

1. Transferring Pressure: He positions Nigeria as the "superior" side, effectively making them the favorites for the bronze medal. If Nigeria fails to win, the narrative of "underachievement" grows.

2. Highlighting Heartbreak: By reminding the Super Eagles how close they were to the final (losing 4-2 on penalties to Morocco after a 0-0 draw), he forces them to relive the trauma of their exit.

3. The Underdog Shield: Despite Egypt being the record seven-time champions, Hassan is framing his current squad—which features only three Europe-based players like Mohamed Salah and Omar Marmoush—as the scrappy team punching above its weight.

Context: The 2025 Semi-Final Heartbreaks

Both teams are entering this match after grueling semi-final losses that ended their dreams of a fourth (Nigeria) or eighth (Egypt) title:

• Nigeria: Suffered a painful penalty shootout defeat to Morocco. Despite a masterclass from goalkeeper Yassine Bounou, the Super Eagles were left frustrated after dominating much of the tournament’s earlier rounds.

• Egypt: Fell 1-0 to a Sadio Mane-inspired Senegal. Hassan was vocal after that match, criticizing the scheduling and travel fatigue that saw Egypt traveling 790km between matches while Senegal remained stationary.

The Battle for the "Golden Bronze"

Nigeria holds a remarkable historical advantage in this specific fixture. The Super Eagles have appeared in seven previous AFCON third-place matches and have won every single one of them. For coach Eric Chelle, the mission is to maintain that perfect record.

"Losing on penalties is very painful," Chelle admitted. "But the tournament is not over. We have to stay focused. Egypt is a team with immense history, and we must prove on the pitch why we were considered favorites."

Key Players to Watch

• Egypt: Mohamed Salah (Liverpool). The captain is one goal away from equalling Hassan El-Shazly (12) as Egypt’s all-time top scorer at AFCON.

• Nigeria: Victor Osimhen (Galatasaray/Napoli). Currently in the race for the Golden Boot with four goals, Osimhen will be looking to redeem himself after a quiet semi-final against the Moroccan defense.

As the two giants of African football prepare to face off for the 10th time in AFCON history, Hassan’s "mind games" have ensured that the third-place match is anything but a mere formality. Whether his words act as a motivator for the Super Eagles or a psychological anchor remains to be seen.

Match Details:

• Fixture: Egypt vs. Nigeria (3rd Place Playoff)

• Venue: Mohammed V Stadium, Casablanca

• Date: Saturday, January 17, 2026

• Time: 17:00 GMT+1