Egypt face toughest battle yet against Cote d’Ivoire

Egypt play Cote d’Ivoire in the second quarter-final match of the day tonight from 10pm (Kenyan time) at Stade Adrar in Agadir. Meanwhile, former champions Nigeria play Algeria’s Desert Foxes — the 2019 champions — from 7pm tonight in the first quarter-final match of the day. The match will be staged at Stade de Marrakech in Marrakech.

Chasing a record-extending eighth continental title, Egypt booked their place in the quarter-finals with a hard-fought 3–1 extra-time victory over Benin, with Salah once again leading from the front. The talisman scored Egypt’s decisive third goal on Monday night, taking his tally to three goals in three matches at the tournament.

Despite his sparkling form, Salah is keen to keep expectations in check.

“I don’t think we are favourites,” he said after the match.

“We have young players, most of them playing back home in Egypt. We are just fighting for our country, then we see where we can go. Everyone here just wants to give their best.”

Salah has featured in all but one of Egypt’s matches so far, sitting out the final group game against Angola when qualification was already assured. That decision, made by head coach Hossam Hassan, proved decisive as Egypt found the edge in extra time against a stubborn Benin side.

“Physically, we were a little better in extra time and that gave us the advantage,” Salah explained.

“There is no easy game in Africa anymore because the levels are very close. I told the boys that we haven’t seen teams losing by four or five goals, and that says a lot.”

The Liverpool forward was quick to acknowledge the quality of the opposition.

“We played against a team with a good coach and a strong structure. It wasn’t easy, but we are happy to have won in the end.”

Away from the spotlight, Salah has largely avoided media attention during Egypt’s stay in Agadir, quietly focusing on both collective success and personal redemption. Having lost two Afcon finals, the 32-year-old is still chasing his first continental crown.

There is also history within reach. Salah’s three goals in Morocco have taken him to 66 international goals, just three shy of head coach Hossam Hassan’s long-standing Egypt scoring record of 69. Hassan, himself an Egyptian legend and Afcon winner as a player, has no doubt Salah will surpass the mark sooner rather than later.

“He is a very important player, not only for us but also for his club Liverpool,” Hassan said in a previous interview. “He has shown his leadership in this tournament, guiding the young players and taking responsibility. We are blessed to have him, and I expect him to keep scoring.”

For Salah, individual milestones remain secondary. His hunger, like Egypt’s ambition, is firmly fixed on one prize; lifting the Afcon trophy at last.  

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