Egypt captain, Mohamed Salah, has said Nigeria’s exit from the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations, shows how hard it is to navigate the tournament’s various pitfall.
Salah was the Man of the Match as the Pharaohs defeated Morocco 2-1 in extra time on Sunday, to set up a semi-final against Cameroon.
Assessing just how hard it is for teams to advance in the competition, the Liverpool superstar has pointed to the example of Nigeria — who started quickly before their elimination by Tunisia — as evidence of just how demanding the competition is.
“Nigeria had been the best team in the group stage and then they lost,” Salah told GOAL, “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.”
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.