In a recent development during the Africa Cup of Nations, Egyptian football star Mohamed Salah faced an unfortunate setback. The incident occurred towards the end of the first half in Egypt’s match against Ghana this Thursday.
Salah, a key player for Liverpool, experienced distress shortly before the break. He paused on the field while the game progressed at the other end, ultimately signaling his inability to continue. His actions, particularly clutching the back of his left thigh, suggested a potential injury.
Egypt’s coach, Rui Vitória, expressed uncertainty about the severity of Salah’s injury post-match.
“Of course, we are worried and we hope it is not too serious,” Vitória remarked following the 2-2 draw in Group B.
Salah, while exiting the field, did not engage with the press in the mixed zone. He maintained a smile and seemed to walk without apparent discomfort.
The departure of Salah, a prominent figure in the tournament, was met with cheers from some Ghanaian supporters. He was replaced by Mostafa Fathi during the second minute of the added time in the first half, passing on the captaincy to defender Ahmed Hegazi.
The match further soured for Egypt when Mohammed Kudus netted Ghana’s first goal shortly after, leading to a 1-0 score at halftime. Despite the challenges, Egypt managed to level the score twice, ending the game in a draw.
Currently, the Egyptian team, also known as the “Pharaohs,” hasn’t secured a win in the Africa Cup. They stand second in their group with two points, trailing behind group leader Cape Verde. The next matches for Cape Verde and Mozambique are scheduled for Friday. The top two teams from each group will advance in the tournament.
This situation raises several questions: How will Salah’s potential absence impact Egypt’s performance in the tournament? And what strategies will Egypt employ to overcome this setback and secure their position in the Africa Cup? The coming games will undoubtedly provide answers to these queries.
