Egypt’s position among the AFCON favourites coming into the tournament appears to be based solely on the shoulders of Africa’s best – and arguably greatest ever – footballing talent.
Now they must reach the last 16 without the injured Salah, who may not return until at least the quarterfinal stage.
“I want to win the competition” was the clear message from Salah about his ambitions at AFCON as he departed Premier League leaders Liverpool.
Salah helped the Reds end a 30-year wait for a league title as well as helping them to a seventh Champions League trophy.
Despite his overwhelming club success, the forward’s commitment to his country has been unwavering, and it was expected that he would need to inspire all the support he could get – from a team that is far from star-studded – if the king was to achieve the crowning glory of an AFCON title.
Mohamed Elneny a bit-part midfielder at Arsenal, and Al Ittihad’s Ahmed Hegazy are the other names of note.
Egypt can, however, point to their appearance in the final of the last tournament – and their route to reach the showpiece game after overcoming Ivory Coast, Morocco and Cameroon.
A glittering past for Egypt, a glittering present for Salah, and if the two are to combine, then the Pharaoh’s greatest footballer will have his teammates to thank for progressing without him.
Denied a shot at the World Cup by a playoff elimination and denied twice in the 2017 and 2022 AFCON finals, the clock is ticking for the 31-year-old and his place in his country’s history books.
For now, though, the task of qualification is not in the hands of an Egyptian god.
Read more: Which teams are favourites to win the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations?
2024-01-22 18:40:10
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