Despite Egypt’s unprecedented success at the African Cup of Nations, star striker Mo Salah does not have an AFCON title to his name. The Pharaohs, indeed, are the most successful team in the tournament’s history, having lifted the trophy seven times. However, the last time they won the tournament was nine years ago, in 2010, before Salah’s time with the national team.
Egypt nearly triumphed again in 2017 but was defeated by Cameroon, 2-1, in the final at Gabon’s Stade de l’Amitie. With the Pharaohs playing host this summer though, they’ll likely be striving even harder than usual for this coveted title.
Having qualified early for the round of 16 with a 1-0 win over Zimbabwe and a 2-0 defeat of DR Congo, Egypt has certainly looked the part of a favourite so far. The Pharaohs are seen as a beacon of African football these days, thanks to a 2018 World Cup berth, Salah’s ascension, and to some extent the drop-off of other traditional continental powers. And sure enough, international sites hosting sports betting listings are largely pegging Egypt as an odds-on favourite to win the AFCON trophy for the eighth time. Betting odds are certainly not exact, and Egypt is not so far ahead of the competition that it can’t be upset – but this still bodes well for Salah’s team to find summer glory in 2019.
Yet, there is also a lot riding on Salah’s shoulders. He’s the Pharaohs’ best player by a wide margin, he’s coming in off a Champions League triumph, and now he’s garnering comparisons to Mohammed Aboutrika, who rose to the occasion in the mid-2000s to help Egypt cement its legacy with three consecutive AFCON titles between 2006 and 2010.
Salah is undoubtedly feeling the pressure, but unlike last year in Russia (when he was still recovering from a shoulder injury), he seems comfortable in his international role and acquitted himself well in the group stage.
Should Salah lead Egypt to victory this year, it might be particularly sweet for reasons beyond his own growing legend as well. This is because 2019 marks the first year following significant expansion of the event, from 16 to 24 teams. This expansion means that almost half of CAF’s 54 members participate, and it makes the entire concept of AFCON more fitting as a determination of the continent’s best national team.
Winning the tournament for the first time under those circumstances – particularly with Egypt hosting – would undoubtedly be a dream come true for Salah and the Pharaohs alike.
