Cameroon tried to save energy to face Egypt in vain - Conceicao

Antonio Conceicao

, the

boss, thinks that fatigue had a role in his team’s defeat at the hands of

in the semi-final of the

on Thursday.

Cameroon were the favorites to win the game and they tried hard to score a goal; however, the visitors gave them a hard time.

When the 120 minutes were finished, neither of the teams had found the target. Egypt met the back of the net three times in the penalty shootout, while the Indomitable Lions netted one.

Egypt sealed their way into the final of the competition and set a date with Senegal, while Cameron will face Burkina Faso in the play-off for third place.

"

The team played well during the 90 minutes trying to score goals but we didn't succeed,"

Conceicao said as quoted by the Caf official site.

"We are as sad as the 27 million Cameroonians, but I think the Egyptian team knew how to counter us. We're sad but it's the reality. The players felt some signs of fatigue at the end of the match, especially after a very physical and intense first half. We had tried to save our energy to counter the opponent but in vain."

Diaa Elsayed, the Egypt assistant coach, said that his side’s mission will only be done when they grab the title.

"

Each time, the Egyptian team are favorites to win the tournament,"

the tactician stated.

"Tonight we played the usual game and we managed to reach the final. I would like to thank our coach Carlos Queiroz who was expelled during the game as well as all the players who made a difference... throughout the tournament.

"We are happy, it's true, but we have not yet reached the final objective: the coronation. I can also add that our background is also due to the presence of one of the great players in our training, namely Mohamed Salah. A very essential player in our team and who remains the centerpiece for us."

The Man of the Match was Mohamed Abdelmoneim and he praised his captain for his influence on Thursday.

"

It was a good match for us. A difficult match against a good Cameroonian team but our team knew how to make the difference with Mohamed Salah who supported us throughout the match like a great leader,"

Abdelmoneim said of the Liverpool star.

"Thank God, we succeeded in our penalty shootout to secure a place in the final.”

Egypt will face Senegal in the final on Sunday at the same venue.

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