In a press conference on Sunday, Mohamed Salah expressed his firm belief that he will secure an Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) victory with Egypt, emphasizing it as an eventual achievement. However, the Liverpool forward acknowledged the need for improvement as he sits out due to a hamstring injury during this year’s competition.
The Pharaohs, led by Salah, approach a crucial final group game against Cape Verde on Monday, requiring a victory to ensure qualification for the last 16. Unfortunately, Salah will be absent from the match in Abidjan, still recovering from the injury sustained in the team’s 2-2 draw with Ghana.
“I would love to win it, absolutely,” Salah stated, expressing his desire to add an AFCON title to his accomplishments at the club level with Liverpool. Despite previous setbacks in the AFCON finals, Salah remains optimistic, saying, “It will happen somehow, that is what I believe, and whatever I believe I achieve, so sooner or later it will happen.”
Making his debut for Egypt in 2011, a year after their last AFCON victory, Salah has played in the teams that reached the finals in 2017 and 2022. Determined to surpass previous performances, Salah emphasized the significance of winning an Africa Cup, stating, “We were unlucky at the last one and also in Gabon. The players are very motivated to win the tournament. We all want to win it.”
Despite Egypt’s lackluster performances in Ivory Coast, requiring a late penalty from Salah to draw with Mozambique and rallying twice to hold Ghana after Salah’s exit, the team eyes advancement with a victory against Cape Verde, who have secured first place in Group B.
Salah, ruled out for the upcoming game and expected to return for a potential quarter-final on February 2 or 3, remains positive about Egypt’s prospects. “At the end of the day, we are not doing great at the moment but we have a fantastic team and a great coach, so we just need to stay focused,” he affirmed.
Regarding his own fitness, Salah emphasized the team’s collective effort, saying, “My injury is still there, but the most important thing now is to speak about the game. We are very positive, we have great players and a great team, and we just need to fight and see what will happen.”
With Salah sidelined, Mostafa Fathi of Cairo club Pyramids may step into the starting line-up for the upcoming match against Cape Verde, having replaced Salah in the previous encounter with Ghana.
