Egypt secured a 2-1 victory over Nigeria in their sole preparatory match ahead of the Africa Cup of Nations, but they did so without their captain and talisman, Mohamed Salah. The Liverpool forward was a notable absentee from the matchday squad for the friendly in Cairo on Tuesday.
Salah's Uncertain Situation at Club Level
The decision by Egypt's manager, Hossam Hassan, to leave Salah out comes during a period of significant turbulence for the 33-year-old at his club. Salah has not started any of Liverpool's last five matches, having been dropped by manager Arne Slot following a dip in form.
The situation escalated dramatically when Salah gave a controversial post-match interview earlier this month. After being an unused substitute in Liverpool's 3-3 draw with Leeds, he claimed the club had "thrown him under the bus" and alleged that "someone" wanted him out. He also stated he no longer had "any relationship" with Slot, plunging his Anfield future into serious doubt.
Road to the Africa Cup of Nations
Despite the club-side friction, Salah has joined the Egyptian national team camp ahead of AFCON 2025-26, which will be held in Morocco. He is set to captain the Pharaohs in the tournament. His involvement in the Nigeria friendly was always in question, as he only arrived in Egypt in the early hours of Tuesday morning alongside Manchester City's Omar Marmoush.
In his absence, goals from Mahmoud Saber and Mostafa Mohamed sealed the win for Egypt. The team will now turn their full focus to the tournament, where they have been drawn in a group with Zimbabwe, South Africa, and Angola. Their campaign begins next Monday.
Salah's Personal Quest for International Glory
For Salah, this tournament represents a major personal ambition. He has never won the Africa Cup of Nations, coming agonisingly close in 2017 when Egypt lost in the final. Speaking in 2022, he emphasised his desire to lift the trophy. "Of course I want to win something with the national team," he said. "It's my country, what I love the most. This trophy for me would be completely different, would be the closest to my heart."
The final of the competition is scheduled for January 18 in Rabat, Morocco. All eyes will be on whether Salah can put his club difficulties aside and inspire Egypt to continental success, potentially for the first time in his illustrious career.
