Former Super Eagles manager Sunday Oliseh has offered a surprising tactical perspective by naming Omar Marmoush, rather than Mohamed Salah, as the most dangerous player in the Egyptian national team. Speaking on the Global Football Insights podcast, the former Juventus midfielder argued that the Manchester City forward provided the decisive spark that propelled the Pharaohs to a 3-2 victory over Ivory Coast in the quarter-finals.
Oliseh’s comments come as Egypt prepares to challenge Senegal in a highly anticipated AFCON semi-final this Wednesday evening in Tangier.
The 51-year-old tactical analyst highlighted Marmoush’s evolution into a world-class attacker since his high-profile move to the Premier League. Oliseh noted that while Salah remains a global icon, Marmoush’s current form and direct style of play create unique difficulties for opposing defenders that the Ivory Coast backline failed to resolve. According to Oliseh, Egypt has successfully navigated the tournament by improving incrementally after a sluggish start to their group stage campaign.
“Egypt is also coming into the match with the mindset that we are growing, because in fact, in their first game they didn’t play well, but they got the result,” Oliseh said. “The most dangerous Egyptian is not Salah, it is Marmoush. He is the one who made it easier for them to beat Ivory Coast.”
The upcoming fixture at the Grand Stade de Tanger represents a rematch of the 2021 final, where Senegal defeated Egypt on penalties to claim their first continental title. Egypt enters the clash following their thrilling five-goal victory over the Elephants, while Senegal secured their spot in the final four after a hard-fought win against Mali. The encounter features a fascinating sub-plot as Marmoush faces off against several of his Premier League colleagues, including Senegal’s veteran captain Sadio Mané.
As the 5:00 PM GMT kickoff approaches, the tactical focus remains on whether the Senegalese defense can contain Marmoush’s pace while simultaneously monitoring the ever-present threat of Mohamed Salah. The winner of this heavyweight battle will progress to the final on Sunday to face either Nigeria or the host nation, Morocco. Oliseh’s endorsement of Marmoush adds a layer of intrigue to the pre-match narrative, as the young forward seeks to cement his status as the new face of Egyptian football.
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