On Friday, Egypt, the seven-time champions, encountered a setback when captain Mohamed Salah was sidelined for two Africa Cup of Nations games due to a hamstring injury.
The Egyptian Football Association confirmed that the Liverpool star won’t be available unless the team reaches the quarter-finals.
Salah, who came off late in the first half of the 2-2 draw with Ghana, will miss the final group game against Cape Verde and any subsequent last-16 tie. Egypt, after drawing their first two games, must secure a win against Cape Verde to guarantee advancement to the next stage.
Salah’s return to the competition is contingent on Egypt making it to a quarter-final on February 2 or 3.
This development poses a significant challenge to Egypt’s aspirations for the AFCON title, given Salah’s pivotal role in the team’s success.
The 31-year-old’s absence will undoubtedly impact Egypt’s offensive prowess, adding an extra layer of pressure on the remaining squad members to step up in his absence.
| DailyTrust
