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In a significant setback for Egypt’s Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) campaign, Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah is set to miss the crucial Group B encounter against Cape Verde on Monday due to a hamstring injury. The 31-year-old forward was forced off the field before halftime during the 2-2 draw with Ghana on Thursday, leaving Egypt in a precarious position as they seek to secure progression in the tournament.
The Egyptian Football Association confirmed the extent of Salah’s injury, stating that tests revealed a hamstring issue, ruling him out of both the Cape Verde clash and a potential last-16 tie if Egypt advances. The Liverpool star will only feature in the tournament again if Egypt reaches the quarter-finals scheduled for February 2 or 3.
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp expressed concern about the severity of Salah’s injury, emphasizing the rarity of the forward’s need to leave the pitch due to fitness issues. Klopp noted, “He was shocked and couldn’t see why he was hit by something so intense. You have these hamstring injuries in a different way. He felt it, and we know how rarely Mo goes off, or needs to go off, so it is definitely something.”
Losing Salah, who is on the brink of earning his 100th cap for Egypt, poses a significant blow to the seven-time African champions. Egypt, currently with two points from two matches, needs a victory against already-qualified Cape Verde to ensure progression in the tournament.
Salah’s pivotal role in Egypt’s campaign was evident in the 2-2 draw with Mozambique, where he scored a last-gasp penalty to salvage a point. The setback adds pressure to Egypt’s quest for their eighth AFCON title, with their last triumph dating back to 2010, a year before Salah made his international debut.
As fans await further updates on Salah’s recovery and Egypt’s performance in his absence, the AFCON narrative takes an unexpected turn with one of its star attractions temporarily sidelined.
