As the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2025 enters its most critical phase in Morocco, Egypt captain Mohamed Salah has issued a stern warning to his teammates and fans. Despite a hard-fought victory that secured their place in the quarter-finals, the latest Mohamed Salah AFCON 2025 comments emphasize a “one match at a time” mentality, downplaying Egypt’s status as title favorites.
The Pharaohs, record seven-time champions, advanced to the final eight after a dramatic 3-1 extra-time win against Benin in Agadir. However, Salah is keen to ensure that the weight of expectation does not distract a squad that features many rising stars from the Egyptian domestic league.
Staying Grounded: Why Salah Denies “Favorite” Status
Speaking to the press following the round-of-16 triumph, the Liverpool forward was quick to point out the evolving landscape of African football.
“I don’t think we are favorites at all,” Salah stated. “We have young players, and most of them play back home in Egypt. We are just fighting for our country, and we will see how far we can go. Everyone here just wants to give their best.”
These Mohamed Salah AFCON 2025 comments highlight a strategic shift in tone. By removing the “favorite” tag, Salah aims to alleviate the pressure on younger teammates who are experiencing the intensity of a continental knockout stage for the first time.
Analysis: Egypt’s Road to the Quarter-Finals
Egypt’s journey in Morocco has been a test of endurance and tactical discipline. While they remain unbeaten, their path hasn’t been easy:
Round of 16 (vs. Benin): A tense 1-1 draw in regulation time forced the game into an additional 30 minutes.
The Decisive Goals: Marwan Attia opened the scoring, but it was a looping header from Yasser Ibrahim and a clinical 124th-minute strike from Salah that finally put the game to rest.
Salah’s Form: The captain has been in scintillating form, scoring three goals in three matches so far, marking the first time he has reached three goals in a single AFCON edition.
“No Easy Games in Africa”
Salah also used his post-match platform to praise the quality of smaller nations in the tournament. He noted that the days of “4-0 or 5-0” scorelines are over.
“Physically, we were a little better in extra time and that gave us the advantage,” Salah explained. “But there is no easy game in Africa anymore because the levels are very close. Benin had a good coach and a strong structure. It wasn’t easy.”
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