Mohamed Salah, the electrifying Liverpool forward, injected a dose of optimism into Egypt’s AFCON campaign despite the team’s struggles and his own hamstring injury. While acknowledging the need for improvement, Salah expressed unwavering faith in Egypt’s eventual AFCON triumph, stating, “It will happen somehow, that is what I believe.”
The Pharaohs face a crucial final group game against Cape Verde on Monday, needing a win to secure their place in the knockout stages. However, they will be without their talisman, Salah, as he recovers from his injury.
Despite the setbacks, Salah remains undeterred. He spoke of his ardent desire to add the AFCON trophy to his impressive collection, emphasizing its significance for both him and the nation. “We all want to win it,” he declared, echoing the collective Egyptian yearning.
However, Egypt’s performance so far has been far from convincing. Scrappy draws against Mozambique and Ghana, with Salah’s late penalty rescuing the latter, have raised concerns about their true potential.
The road ahead remains challenging. Even a Cape Verde victory won’t guarantee smooth sailing, as Salah is likely to miss the last-16 clash and potentially even the quarter-final.
Yet, Salah’s unwavering belief is infectious. He urged his team to “stay focused” and “fight,” insisting that “with hard work everything is possible.” His positive energy could be the spark that ignites Egypt’s campaign and propels them towards glory, despite the odds.