Record seven-time champions Egypt on Friday were dealt a major blow as captain Mohamed Salah was ruled out of two Africa Cup of Nations games with a hamstring injury, while holders Senegal and Cape Verde qualified for the last 16.
The Egyptian Football Association said in a statement that Liverpool star Salah would not return for his country unless they reach the quarter-finals at the tournament.
The 31-year-old came off late in the first half of the Pharaohs’ 2-2 draw with Ghana on Thursday.
Photo: AFP
He would sit out tomorrow’s final group game against Cape Verde and any last-16 tie that would follow that.
After drawing their opening two games, Egypt need to beat Cape Verde to be guaranteed of advancing in second place in Group B. That would tee up a last-16 tie in San-Pedro on Jan. 28, while they could also potentially qualify as one of the best third-placed teams.
Salah would therefore only have a chance to feature again at the competition if Egypt make it to a quarter-final on Feb. 2 or 3.
Photo: AP
Senegal, who beat Salah’s Egypt on penalties in the final of the previous Africa Cup of Nations, clinched a spot in the next round with one group game to spare thanks to a 3-1 win over Cameroon in Yamoussoukro.
Ismaila Sarr of Ligue 1 team Olympique de Marseille put the reigning champions ahead early on and later set up Habib Diallo to make it 2-0.
Jean-Charles Castelletto pulled one back, but Senegal were not to be denied a convincing victory and talisman Sadio Mane put the outcome beyond doubt late on.
Photo: AFP
Senegal have a maximum six points after two Group C matches, while Cameroon have only one and their hopes of advancing to the last 16 are in the balance.
“I remember that in 2017 we lost to Cameroon in the quarter-finals, so during this match we did everything to win,” Sarr said.
In Group C, Guinea, again missing star striker Serhou Guirassy, beat The Gambia 1-0 at the same venue thanks to Aguibou Camara’s second-half goal.
The result leaves Guinea second in the section on four points, meaning they need just a draw against Senegal in their next match to guarantee qualification for the last 16, while a victory would see them progress as group winners.
Cameroon and The Gambia are to meet each other next and can both hope to at least progress as one of the four best third-placed sides.
Earlier, Cape Verde became the first team to qualify for the last 16 thanks to a convincing 3-0 win over Mozambique in Abidjan.
Former Manchester United forward Bebe set the Atlantic Ocean island nation on their way with a remarkable first-half free-kick from 40m at Felix Houphouet Boigny Stadium.
Captain Ryan Mendes doubled their lead just after halftime and Kevin Pina wrapped up the win with a stunning strike midway through the second half.
Cape Verde’s biggest ever victory in the tournament left them on six points from two games and means they are now certain to top Group B after they beat Ghana 2-1 in their opening game.
“I don’t know how far we can go. Now we are into the last 16 and we just need to keep working as we have been,” Mendes said. “We know it won’t be easy, but we believe in ourselves and in our work.”
Cape Verde are to play in Abidjan in a last-16 tie against a third-placed team on Jan. 29.
Mozambique, appearing at their fifth Africa Cup of Nations, have still never won a match in 14 attempts at the tournament.
Meanwhile, Tanzania fired coach Adel Amrouche after he was banned for eight matches and fined US$10,000 over comments about Morocco, a Confederation of African Football official told reporters.
His dismissal was confirmed by the Tanzanian Football Federation, with Hemed Suleiman promoted from assistant coach to caretaker boss for the rest of their campaign.
The Group F outsiders lost 3-0 to Morocco on Wednesday and still have to play Zambia and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
Algeria-born Amrouche said that Moroccan officials within the Confederation of African Football were deciding who referees matches involving the senior men’s national team and the time the games begin.
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