Online Reporter
MOHAMED Salah looks untouched by the uncertainty around his Liverpool future as he prepares to lead Egypt into the Africa Cup of Nations, according to Pharaohs coach Hossam Hassan.
Hassan said the forward’s focus and energy in camp have been striking ahead of Egypt’s opening Afcon match against Zimbabwe in Agadir tonight.
“Salah’s morale in training is very high, as if he were just starting out with the national team, and I believe he will have a great tournament with his country,” Hassan told reporters.
“I feel his motivation is very, very strong. Salah is an icon and will remain so. He is one of the best players in the world, and I support him in everything he does,” he added.
Salah did not start any of Liverpool’s final five matches before leaving for the tournament, with tensions spilling into the open after a Premier League draw at Leeds United when he said he had been “thrown under the bus” by Anfield coach Arne Slot.
The episode fuelled fresh speculation that the 33-year-old could be set for a January exit from the struggling English champions.
“I don’t consider what happened to him to be a crisis. These things often happen between players and coaches,” Hassan said.
“We’ve been in contact with him by phone from the beginning, and I met with him when he joined the national team camp. His focus is entirely on the tournament.”
Salah is chasing a record eighth Afcon crown for Egypt in Morocco, a title that has so far eluded him. He finished on the losing side in finals against Cameroon in 2017 and Senegal in 2022.
His goals this year have already secured Egypt a place at the World Cup.
“Whenever Salah’s performances dip with his club, he regains his strength with the national team and becomes even better, whether by contributing to goals or scoring himself. Then he returns to his club even stronger,” Hassan said.
“He needs to win the cup by helping us and by helping himself.”
Egypt will also face South Africa and Angola in Group B, with all three first round matches set for Agadir. -AFP Sport
Bongani Ndlovu