After two matches, Egypt’s qualification for the knockout stage of the Africa Cup of Nations coming all the way down to the wire. They will want a consequence of their last group stage match towards Cape Verde, and that is one thing that simply turned much more unlikely. On Friday, the Egyptian federation announced that captain, talisman, and famous person attacker Mohamed Salah will miss the final group stage match with a hamstring pressure, and their subsequent match as nicely ought to they advance. Salah was pressured out of Egypt’s draw with Ghana, the consequence that put one of many pre-tournament favorites vulnerable to not advancing within the first place. On two factors by way of their first two matches of the group stage, a draw towards Cape Verde might be sufficient to see Egypt by way of to the knockout levels, however with out Salah, there are main questions of who will put the ball at the back of the online.
The spherical of 16 is scheduled for Jan. 27-30. Salah’s membership, Liverpool will likely be watching intently as nicely, as that timeline would rule Salah out of their FA Cup match towards Norwich Metropolis on Jan. 28 if Egypt are knocked out, although if the timetable is correct, Salah might be out there for his or her match towards Chelsea on Jan. 31 if he is again along with his membership.
Egypt might want to determine a option to rally with out their star however may need caught a break. Cape Verde have already gained the group, so there’s a probability that they may rotate gamers within the last match. An Egypt win ensures that they will make to make the final 16 and a draw is perhaps sufficient relying on different outcomes. Then it is all about discovering a option to intestine by way of into the quarterfinals the place hopefully Salah can be able to go once more.