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Africa Cup of Nations | Group Stage

Jan 18, 2024 at 8pm UK

Stade de l'Amitie

Egypt
2 - 2
Ghana

Marmoush (69'), Mohamed (74')

FT(HT: 0-1)

Kudus (45+3', 71')
Abdul Samed (38')

Egypt boss plays down severity of Mohamed Salah injury

By Ben Sully | 18 January 2024

Egypt coach Rui Vitoria is hopeful that Mohamed Salah's injury is not serious following his early withdrawal in Thursday's Africa Cup of Nations clash with Ghana.

Egypt head coach Rui Vitoria has played down fears surrounding Mohamed Salah's injury after the Liverpool forward was forced off in Thursday's Africa Cup of Nations clash with Ghana.

Salah went into Egypt's second group game in a confident mood following his goal and assist in the opening match against Mozambique.

Unfortunately for the 31-year-old, he was unable to make it until half time after picking up an injury issue in the closing stages of the first period.

The Egypt captain dropped to the ground with a suspected hamstring problem, before he was replaced in first-half stoppage time by Mostafa Fathi.

Egypt's Mohamed Salah reacts on January 7, 2024 © Reuters

Despite being without their talisman, Egypt showed great character to fight back from behind on two occasions to draw 2-2 with Ghana.

Eintracht Frankfurt's Omar Marmoush and Nantes' Mostafa Mohamed both grabbed a goal apiece to cancel out a brace from West Ham United's Mohamed Kudus.

Speaking in his post-match press conference, Vitoria attempted to play down any serious concerns over Salah's injury.

"I hope it's not a big problem," Vitoria told reporters. "But it was a problem in the first half because we lost one time to make a substitution. In the second half, we only had two moments to make substitutions."

Vitoria went on to add: "Now I don't know because it's [too] early to see something. I think it's not dangerous, but let's see if Salah recovers."

Egypt coach Rui Vitoria reacts on January 7, 2024 © Reuters

The Egypt coach will hope to have Salah available for the country's final group game against Cape Verde on Monday when they will attempt to book their place in the knockout rounds.

Having drawn their opening two games, the Pharaohs are currently sitting in second place and one point behind Group B leaders Cape Verde, who will face Mozambique in their second game on Friday.

While Egypt will want Salah to make a quick recovery, Liverpool will also be keen to establish the severity of his injury.

Salah has continued to be a key player for Jurgen Klopp's side this season, having registered 18 goals and provided nine assists in 27 competitive appearances.