“Of course we are worried and we hope it is not too serious”. This is what Rui Vitória, the Portuguese coach of the Egyptian selection, declared a few moments after the draw (2-2) conceded by his team against Ghana. An unequivocal release summarizing the growing concern around the state of health of Mohamed Salah. Trailing twice, the Pharaohs finally preserved the essential thanks to an achievement from Mostafa Mohamed at the start of the last quarter of an hour. More than the result and Egypt’s current second place in Group B, it is Mohamed Salah’s injury which is at the heart of the news this Friday morning.
Hit in the back of the left thigh just before the break, the Egyptian captain finally had to give way to Mostafa Mohamed Fathi just before the break. A terrible blow for Egypt, without its star for the second half and perhaps even more… As reported by the Daily Mail, the Liverpool executive’s hamstring injury could keep him away from the field for longer than expected. A disaster scenario for Egypt, in search of a new coronation in this African Cup of Nations. A huge blow, also, for Jürgen Klopp and the Reds, currently leading the English championship with two small points ahead of Manchester City and Aston Villa.
Liverpool trembles, Egypt hopes for good news!
Author of 18 goals and 9 assists in 27 matches in all competitions, Salah is an essential pillar in Liverpool’s current dynamic. Therefore, if the Reds had already prepared for his absence until February 17 – in the event of a final for Egypt in this CAN – the duration of unavailability of the former AS Roma player or even Chelsea could ultimately prove even longer. A big snub for a Liverpool team already deprived of many players (Joel Matip, Stefan Bajcetic, Thiago Alcantara, Kostas Tsimikas, Andrew Robertson, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Ben Doak and Dominik Szoboszlai are currently injured while Wataru Endo participates in the Asian Cup with Japan).
While waiting to know more about the nature of his injury and therefore the duration of his absence, Egypt can also tremble. Saved by their captain during the draw against Mozambique in added time, the Pharaohs could, in fact, lose their main asset in this quest for a new continental title. “We don’t know yet what the problem is. I hope it’s not a big problem. It was difficult timing for us because in the second half we were only able to make two substitutions. I think it’s not dangerous, but we’ll see.”, added Rui Vitória to the journalists. Under pressure and anxious about the state of health of its captain, Egypt will, in the meantime, have to achieve its first victory in the competition against Cape Verde, current leader of Group B, next Monday…
