Africa the next frontier for trophy hunter Salah

Africa the next frontier for trophy hunter salah0

With Liverpool, prolific goal scorer Mohamed Salah has taken over Europe, the United States, and England. His current goal is to bring Egypt to African renown.

Having been a member of the teams that lost the 2017 and 2022 Africa Cup of Nations finals to Cameroon and Senegal, respectively, he has gone agonizingly close twice with his nation.

A 70,000-strong Cairo audience watched in disbelief as hosts Egypt lost badly to outsiders South Africa in the round of 16 on route to those championship deciders.


Egypt is one of the favorites to win the 2024 tournament in the Ivory Coast, where they will try to extend their record by winning eight titles in the biggest athletic event in Africa.

Egypt has been drawn into Group B with Ghana, Cape Verde, and Mozambique. It is generally anticipated that Egypt will place first and advance to the round of 16.

However, Pharaohs teammates like captain Salah are demanding more. Much more. They want to compete in and win the final on February 11 at Abidjan’s 60,000-seat Alassane Ouattara Stadium.

The prolific scorer in Cairo said, “I want to win this competition,” as he debuted a new hairstyle in response to criticism on social media over his unruly locks.

“I would love to help Egypt win the Cup of Nations trophy and take home the trophy after coming so close twice.”

“My teammates and I am driven to win this fantastic African football event, and I am thrilled to be playing.

“Playing for the Egyptian national team is really important to me. Putting on the red jersey, which has been worn by many greats in the past, is an amazing sensation.

“I am aware of my responsibility every time I go onto the field—I am speaking for millions of Egyptians.

“We are aware that when we play in the Ivory Coast, the streets of Cairo, Alexandria, and other cities, towns, and villages will be deserted.

“People will either be at home or in cafes, cheering our every move, willing us to score and wishing us success.”

Salah, who played for Basel, Chelsea, Fiorentina, Roma, Al Mokawloon in his native Egypt, and Liverpool in 2017, is no stranger to success.

In 2019, he had a key role in Liverpool’s victories in the UEFA Champions League, Club World Cup, and Premier League.

The 31-year-old, whose full name is Mohamed Salah Hamed Mahrous Ghaly, scored twice in a 4-2 league victory against Newcastle United in his last game for the Reds before taking a plane to Egypt.

With four Cup of Nations victories, Ghana has the third-best record, after Egypt’s seven and Cameroon’s five. However, it has been 42 years since their previous victory.

Otto Addo, who resigned as Black Stars coach after his team’s early 2022 World Cup departure in Qatar, made headlines when he said that Egypt’s matchup would be the easiest for his nation to win in the group.

“Everyone will be looking on Egypt since they are the clear favorites to defeat Ghana. The fact that no one gives the Black Stars a chance will inspire them.

“I believe it is easier to face Mohamed Salah and the other Egyptian stars than trying to break down the well-organised defences of Cape Verde and Mozambique.”

Mohammed Kudus, an aggressive midfielder who has been excellent for West Ham United this season, is the man Ghana is counting on to lead them on.

The seasoned Ayew brothers, strikers Andre and Jordan, are another resource they may use to help them forget about the terrible 2022 campaign that resulted in first-round elimination.

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