Salah exhales after Egypt win

Mohamed Salah of Egypt celebrates goal during the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations Afcon Finals match between Guinea-Bissau and Egypt at Roumde Adjia Stadium in Garoua, Cameroon, on 15 January 2022 ©Samuel Shivambu/BackpagePix

by Staff Reporter

Sunday Jan 16, 2022. 11:00

Mohamed Salah has conceded that Egypt are struggling at AFCON 2021 and described Saturday’s great escape 1-0 victory over Guinea Bissau as a product of the teams’ collective effort.

Salah scored the games’ only goal in the 69th minute to see the labouring record seven-time AFCON kings recover from their 1-0 loss to Nigeria on January 11.

But Egypt were very fortunate to have walked away with the 3 points after a convincing Guinea Bissau equalised in the 82nd minute through Mama Balde.

However, Baldes’ goal was cancelled following a VAR review after his duel for the ball with Omar Kamal was deemed a foul en route to scoring a goal of the tournament that never was.

“I am happy with the victory but I know that our performance has not been good today and in the past game; I hope we can improve,” Salah told beIN sport.

“We are facing a lot of challenges and all the African teams have now become strong as they have a lot of players in Europe. We may be one of the least teams with players playing in Europe.

“I don’t really focus on scoring; what’s important for me is to help the team win. I want to win a title with Egypt, which would be my greatest achievement.”

Egypt rose from bottom to second in Group D on 3 points, three points behind Nigeria who have advanced to the last 16 with a match to spare.

2021 AFCON GROUP STANDINGS

Guinea Bissau are third on 1 point.

The Pharaohs must now beat Sudan, who have 1 point, in their final Group D fixture on January 19 to cement their top two status and march on to the last 16.