AFCON 2019: Salah Predicts Pharaohs vs Taranga Lions final
Liverpool talisman and Egypt international Mohamed Salah may have ruled out the possibility of Super Eagles making it to the finals of this year’s African Cup of Nations in Egypt.
The two time African footballer of the year rather predicted that the Pharaohs will play Taranga Lions of Senegal in the final. Interestingly Senegal international Sadio Mané who missed the African football of the year gong by whiskers is Salah’s teammate at Liverpool and will be expected to lead Senegal in the continental battle of supremacy billed for 15 June and 13 July.
Salah is not only looking forward to Egypt who were handed the hosting right after Cameroon was disqualified hosting a very impressive tournament but also hoping that the Pharaohs will make it all the way to the final and win the trophy.
The 27 year old who had close to a rough ride at the World Cup in Russia, is eager to inspire his nation to the AFCON title, the 8th time they will be winning it if his dream comes to pass.
“It’s very exciting to play at home and we will do our best to win the title,” Salah said on King Fut.(an English-based Egyptian website providing a variety of news and statistics for the sports in Egypt, especially the local football and covering the Egyptian expatriate footballers news).
The left-footed attacker predicted that they will face West African giants Senegal in this year’s final.
“I think we will face Senegal in the final,” the former AS Roma and Chelsea winger continued.
“This is the best time for Egypt to host the tournament. We may not have the best league in Africa, but we can be the best from now,” he added.
Egypt are the most decorated team in the history of the AFCON competition having won a record seven titles. The last time they won the tournament was in 2010.
Super Eagles who qualified for the tournament with a match against Seychelles to spare in March missed the last two editions and will be hoping to bounce back to reckoning in the land of the pharaohs. Although Coach Gernot Rohr has not expressly been mandated to win the tournament many believe it is one title the team should aspire to win after a below par performance the World Cup in Russia.
The last time Nigeria won the title was in 2013 in South Africa, beating Burkina Faso by a lone goal in front of 85,000 spectators under late Super Eagles coach Stephen Keshi.