Leone Stars head coach Mohamed Kallon spoke on Tuesday evening in Cairo about the team’s 1-0 defeat to Egypt in the FIFA World Cup Qualifiers.

During the post-match press conference, Kallon began by saying, “We knew we were coming to Egypt to play one of the greatest teams in Africa.” He added, “We knew it was going to be very difficult.”

“I am very new to my job,” Kallon said, emphasizing that he had only been appointed two weeks ago. “Today is a clear manifestation that, down the line, the sky will be our limit,” he stated.

He acknowledged the strength of the Egyptian team but expressed confidence in his players. “We knew we were facing a much stronger team, but with great players, good coordination, and strong connections among them. I knew that if we stepped out too easily, they would punish us. That’s why we approached the game differently,” he explained.

Discussing the team’s strategy, Kallon said, “We have 18 home-based players in the squad, with over 70% being young players. Our plan was to hurt Egypt on the counterattack. That’s why we stayed deep, tried to close the channels, and made quick passes to break forward. Unfortunately, we played against a team with top-quality players who can hurt you at any moment.”

He further analyzed the match by saying, “I knew Egypt would dominate possession, but we made sure our defensive line remained compact and difficult to break. I know my players are well-prepared.”

Concluding the press conference, Kallon expressed optimism about the remaining fixtures. “We still have four more games to play, and we aim to win them,” he affirmed.