Mohamed Salah out of Egypt’s next 2 AFCON matches with injury،
Mohamed Salah is expected to miss two matches at the Africa Cup of Nations after suffering back pain during Egypt's draw with Ghana on Thursday, but he avoided a more serious injury, the Egyptian FA confirmed .
The 31-year-old limped off at the end of the first half of the 2-2 Group B draw, sparking fears that his Nations Cup is over and his bid to Liverpool's Premier League title is over. affected.
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However, a statement released by the EFA on Sunday indicates that the striker could be ready to return to action for the AFCON quarter-finals on February 2-3.
“Mohamed Salah suffered a back muscle injury and will miss two matches at the African Cup of Nations,” begins a statement published on the Egyptian Federation’s social networks.
“X-rays undergone by Egyptian national team captain Salah showed that he was suffering from posterior muscle strain and that he will miss the team's next two AFCON matches – against Cape Town – Green, then the round of 16 of the CAN”. qualifying event.”
Egypt are scheduled to face their next opponents in the group stage on January 22 and could qualify for the round of 16, scheduled between January 27 and 29.
Salah sat forlornly on the turf after coming off during Thursday's match and was quickly replaced after receiving treatment on the pitch.
Encouragingly, the Egypt captain was able to walk to the bench – albeit with some discomfort – and was later seen smiling as he walked through the mixed zone in footage shared on social media.
Speaking after the match, head coach Rui Vitória expressed optimism that Salah's injury was not serious and now hopes the Pharaohs' talisman can return to play his part in the latter stages of the competition .
Speaking at a press conference on Friday, Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp revealed his concern that Salah would be replaced in pain, given the striker's exceptional injury record. If Egypt reach the AFCON final, Salah's first Premier League match for the Reds could take place at Brentford on February 17.
In Salah's absence, West Ham United's Mohammed Kudus scored twice for the Black Stars in a magnificent individual display, with Omar Marmoush and Mostafa Mohamed responding for the North Africans to ensure the points were shared.
Salah scored a 97th-minute penalty for Egypt in their tournament opener against Mozambique – a 2-2 draw – but endured a frustrating first half against Ghana before his withdrawal.
Seven-time AFCON winners Egypt conclude their group stage campaign against Cape Verde, who have already won Group B, while Ghana will meet Mozambique to try to seal their place in the last 16 .
