Egypt is not a top candidate for AFCON title: Skipper Salah

Ahmed Abd El Rasoul , Monday 10 Jan 2022

Egypt’s skipper Mohamed Salah said the Pharaohs are not a top candidate for winning the current Africa Cup of Nations title, but the Liverpool star winger vowed to do his best to win the first ever trophy in his international career.

Egypt s captain Mohamed Salah speaks during the pre-match press conference in Garoua on January 10, 2022. AFP

The seven-time African champions Egypt will begin their AFCON 2021 campaign with a clash against the Nigerian Super Eagles on Tuesday.

“We are not favourite candidates to win the title of the Africa Cup, but we will do our best to return home with the trophy,” Salah said in the pre-Nigeria press conference on Monday.

“I am one of 11 players and we will do our best to win the Nigeria game and the tournament title,” the 29-year-old added.

Egypt is playing in Group D alongside Nigeria, Sudan, and Guinea Bissau.

Salah, who made his debut for the senior national team in September 2011, has appeared with the Pharaohs in two Africa Cup of Nations in 2017 and 2019, and also at the 2018 World Cup, but hasn't won a single title yet.

“We should work hard to meet the expectations (of Egyptian fans). We should play collective football to win all our games,” the former Chelsea and AS Roma player said.

“I didn’t win any major tournament in my 10-year career with Egypt and I hope to do that this time at the Africa Cup,” he concluded.

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