The spotlight is on Egyptian captain Mohamed Salah as he gears up for what may be his best shot at winning his first Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) title. Amid recent challenges with his club, Liverpool, Salah is fully focused on leading his national team in Morocco, as revealed by coach Hossam Hassan.

Despite a tumultuous period following his removal from the starting lineup at Liverpool, Salah’s commitment to the national side remains unshaken. Coach Hassan confirmed that the star forward’s morale is quite high as they prepare for their opening Group B match against Zimbabwe in Agadir.

Encouraged by Strong Team Spirit

According to Hassan, Salah’s attitude during training has been reminiscent of a newcomer eager to make a mark. “I am convinced he will have a fantastic tournament with Egypt,” Hassan asserted. At 33, this AFCON may represent Salah’s most significant opportunity to add an international trophy to his already impressive collection of club achievements.

“I believe Salah will be one of the standout players in the tournament, solidifying his status as a global icon,” Hassan added, reaffirming the pressing need for Salah to secure an AFCON victory for his country.

Moving Past Liverpool Challenges

Salah heads into the tournament following an unsettling period at Liverpool, where he has not started since a disappointing 4-1 home defeat to PSV Eindhoven in the Champions League at the end of November. After being sidelined in subsequent matches, he expressed feelings of being unfairly blamed for the team’s underwhelming performance, hinting at uncertainties about his future at Anfield.

Even amidst the strife, Hassan maintained an open line of communication with his captain. “I prefer not to label it a crisis; disagreements between players and coaches are quite common,” he said. Salah has not found the back of the net since early November, which also includes a friendly match with Egypt against Uzbekistan.

“Salah has gone through similar slumps before,” said Hassan, who is confident that the support of the national team will reignite Salah’s form. “He has previously bounced back stronger through the national side, and I anticipate a stellar tournament from him this time as well.”

Having been a runner-up in AFCON twice, in both 2017 and 2021, Salah is eager to help Egypt secure their first title since 2010,Building on their record of seven AFCON victories, the stakes have never been higher for Salah and the Pharaohs.