“Nobody, even in Egypt, wants to win this trophy more than me,” Salah said after helping his team beat Ivory Coast in the quarter-finals. And, for all his silverware with Liverpool and personal honours, the feeling persists among many across Africa that a player cannot be classed as truly great until they have an Afcon title to their name. That tie again went the distance after both sides won 1-0 on home soil, and penalties again settled it in Diamniadio. Salah now has a total of 11 goals at the Afcon finals – level with national coach Hossam Hassan and one behind Egypt’s record holder Hassan El-Shazly. “You can see him leading chance creation for Senegal at this Afcon, with a high involvement in build-up and key plays,” BBC Afrique journalist Babacar Faye said.

Source: Daily Nation January 14, 2026 06:30 UTC