AFCON: Mo Salah’s hamstring injury casts doubt on Egypt’s hope

Egypt will be concerned after captain Mohamed Salah suffered a hamstring injury in Pharaohs 2-2 draw against the Black Stars of Ghana in their second group game of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations(AFCON) on Thursday night.

Mo Salah was substituted just before half-time and Egypt coach Rui Vitoria has expressed cautious optimism over the Liverpool star in playing at the AFCON.

Mo Salah’s departure late in the first half dealt a blow to Egypt’s hopes. He clutched his leg off the ball before signalling he couldn’t continue, handing the captain’s armband to Ahmed Hegazi and leaving the scene dejectedly.

Commenting on Mo Salah’s injury in a post-match press conference Vitoria expressed hope that the hamstring issue was not serious.

“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.”

Asked about the nature of the injury, he added: “Now I don’t know because it’s too early to see something. I think it’s not dangerous, but let’s see if Mo-Salah recovers.”

Despite losing their captain and talisman, Egypt came from 2-1 down to rescue a point against Ghana – who were inspired by West Ham’s Mohammed Kudus on the night.

The draw leaves Egypt in second place in Group B with two points, behind Cape Verde who are playing Mozambique today.

The Pharaohs will face Cape Verde in their final group stage match on Monday, January 22, but it remains uncertain Mo Salah will be fit to feature.

Again, Mo Salah’s injury adds to the list of Liverpool’s injury issues and Jurgen Klopp is nervously monitoring the situation.

The Reds have as many as eight players on injury ahead of their Premier League fixture with Bournemouth this weekend, while Mo Salah and Endo are unavailable due to international commitments.