Mohamed Salah's hamstring injury leaves Egypt's AFCON hopes in jeopardy, as they face a must-win match without their star player.
Egypt's hopes of clinching their eighth Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) title have been dealt a severe blow as star player Mohamed Salah is set to miss a crucial group stage match against Cape Verde due to a hamstring injury.
This setback has raised questions about Egypt's prospects in the tournament, and fans and pundits alike are left pondering the impact of Salah's absence.
Salah, the Liverpool forward and captain of the Egypt national team, sustained the hamstring injury during the 2-2 draw against Ghana, forcing him to leave the pitch before half-time.
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The Egyptian Football Association confirmed the injury and announced that Salah would also be unavailable for a potential last-16 match if Egypt manages to qualify.
The injury news sent shockwaves through the football world, as Salah is not only Egypt's talisman but also one of the most prolific forwards in the game.
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Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp expressed his concern about the injury, noting the rarity of Salah being forced off the field due to such ailments.
"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," he said.
Egypt's AFCON campaign had already started on shaky ground, with two draws in their opening matches against Mozambique and Ghana.
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In both games, Egypt had to come from behind to secure points, highlighting the importance of Salah's contributions.
His last-minute penalty against Mozambique rescued Egypt from an embarrassing defeat and showcased his ability to rise to the occasion.
Salah, who is on the verge of earning his 100th cap for Egypt, has been a vital figure for his national team since making his debut in 2011.
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His skill, speed, and goal-scoring prowess have made him a national hero, and his absence will undoubtedly be felt both on and off the field.
Egypt now faces a must-win situation against Cape Verde to secure their progression to the knockout stage.
The already-qualified Cape Verde presents a formidable challenge, and without Salah, Egypt's task becomes even more daunting. The pressure on the remaining players to step up and fill the void left by their injured captain is immense.
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As Egypt navigates the remainder of the tournament without Salah, their quest for AFCON glory becomes all the more uncertain.
The last time Egypt clinched the AFCON title was in 2010, just a year before Salah made his international debut.
Now, without their star player, they must find a way to rally and overcome the odds.
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