Salah Two Wins from First AFCON Title After Egypt Victory
Mohamed Salah moved within two matches of his dream Africa Cup of Nations title as Egypt defeated defending champion Cote d'Ivoire 3-2 in a thrilling quarterfinal. The Liverpool star, who's won every major club trophy, now has a real shot at the one medal that's eluded him for 16 years.
Mohamed Salah is just two victories away from completing his trophy collection after leading Egypt past defending champion Cote d'Ivoire 3-2 in Saturday's Africa Cup of Nations quarterfinal.
The 33-year-old Liverpool star has won the Premier League, Champions League, FA Cup, and Club World Cup. But the AFCON trophy has remained frustratingly out of reach through two painful final losses in 2017 and 2022.
Egypt dominated early in Agadir, Morocco, with Omar Marmoush scoring just three minutes after kickoff. Salah delivered a perfect corner for Ramy Rabia to head home Egypt's second goal on 32 minutes.
Cote d'Ivoire pulled one back through an own goal before halftime. But Salah answered quickly after the break, pushing home a perfectly weighted cross from midfielder Emam Ashour to restore Egypt's two-goal cushion.
The defending champions fought back when Guela Doue scored with 17 minutes remaining. Egypt held firm to secure the victory and a semifinal date with Senegal on Wednesday in Tangiers.
"I want to thank the players immensely," said Egypt coach Hossam Hassan. "They are true Egyptians who fight for the happiness of their people."
The Bright Side
Salah arrived in Morocco under a cloud after being benched by Liverpool and publicly criticizing the club following a draw at Leeds. The AFCON has provided the perfect stage for his response.
He's scored four goals in the tournament, including winners against Zimbabwe, South Africa, and Benin. His predatory instincts are back in full force at exactly the right moment.
Egypt now faces Senegal, the team that broke Egyptian hearts in the 2022 final. The winner advances to face either host Morocco or Nigeria for the championship.
The Pharaohs are chasing their eighth AFCON title, which would extend their record as the tournament's most successful nation. They've dominated Cote d'Ivoire historically, winning 11 of 12 meetings over 56 years.
For Salah, it's about more than records. It's about delivering the trophy his nation craves most while proving he remains one of Africa's greatest players.
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Based on reporting by Japan Times
This story was written by BrightWire based on verified news reports.
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