Ahmed Kamel – Egypt Daily News
Egyptian football star Mohamed Salah stirred debate after his comments following the national team’s 3-1 victory over Benin in the Round of 16 at the Africa Cup of Nations.
In a post-match interview, Salah said, “We are not favorites because we have young players and most of us play in Egypt. We are fighting for our country, and we’ll see how far we can go.” He added, “But every player is trying to give their best, that’s all I can say.”
The remarks quickly generated discussion on social media. Some interpreted Salah’s statement as an attempt to relieve pressure from his teammates, while others defended the local-based players, pointing out that Egypt has won previous African titles with many domestic league players in the squad.
During the match, Salah scored Egypt’s third goal and provided a key assist for the opening goal, helping his team advance to the quarterfinals. Egypt will next face the winner of the Ivory Coast vs Burkina Faso match.
Salah’s candid acknowledgment of the team’s challenges has sparked a mix of admiration for his honesty and debate over expectations, highlighting the balance between national pride and competitive pressure in Egyptian football.
