Liverpool striker Mohammed Salah and his teammates have a daunting challenge against Cameroon who have not lost at home in over 3 decades
By Kehinde Okeowo
The captain of the Pharaohs of Egypt, Mohammed Salah has described the shocking exit of the Super Eagles as an indication of how unpredictable the tournament is.
The Super Eagles were eliminated early in the rounds of 16 of the African Cup of Nations (AFCON) by Tunisia, despite topping their group ahead of Egypt and gathering the maximum 9 points.
Salah was effectively neutralised in Egypt’s opening game of the tournament as they fell to a 1-0 defeat by a rampant Super Eagles side in Garoua.
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He was, however, the Man of the Match on Sunday when the Pharaohs came from a goal down to win the local derby against Morocco 2-1 in extra time to set up a semi-final against Cameroon at the Stade d’Olembe on Thursday.
According to GOAL.com, the Liverpool striker believes Nigerias’ early elimination, Algerias’ failure to get past the group stages, and the fact that Senegal barely qualified is a demonstration of how demanding the continental showpiece is.
He said “Nigeria had been the best team in the group stage and then they lost,” he continued “so you never know with any game. It’s tough for everyone.
“Algeria lost in the group stage, having won it last time, and they had a great team.
“Senegal qualified with one goal,” he added. “I’m not saying something bad, just that the tournament is tough.”
Egypts’ encounter with the hosts Cameroon, in the semi-final, at the Stade d’Olembe, Yaounde, is sure going to be a testing one for the Pharaohs as the indomitable Lions have not been beaten at home in more than 3 decades.
