Egypt duo Mohamed Salah and Mohamed El-Neny missed the chance to win their first domestic title with FC Basel after losing the Swiss Cup title to rivals Grasshopper.

Grasshopper on Monday defeated defending champions Basel 4-3 on penalties to clinch their 19th Swiss Cup victory.

Midfielder El-Neny played in the entire match, while suspended striker Salah watched from the stands.

It was the second successive blow for the Swiss Champions this season after being knocked out by Chelsea in Europa Cup semifinals earlier this month.

The Pharaohs duo still have a chance to win the Swiss League title with Basel, which currently tops the league table with 66 points – six ahead of Grasshopper with three matches remaining.

The 20-year-old Salah, who has impressed Basel since joining the team from Egypt’s Arab Contractors last summer, was recently linked with a move to a bigger European club this summer.

Basel recently decided to take the option of signing El-Neny on a permanent basis.

The 21-year-old player also joined Basel from Arab Contractors on a six-month loan deal last January and has since managed to establish himself as a key player in the club's midfield, thanks largely to his precise and efficient passes.

(For more sports news and updates, follow Ahram Online Sports on Twitter at @AO Sports and on Facebook at AhramOnlineSports)