Liverpool Star Emphasizes Team Effort and Competitive Balance After Extra-Time Win Over Benin.

Mohamed Salah

Egypt captain Mohamed Salah has played down suggestions that the Pharaohs are among the top favourites to lift the TotalEnergies Africa Cup of Nations Morocco 2025 trophy, insisting the team remains focused on taking things one game at a time.

In a statement released by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) following Egypt’s hard-fought 3–1 extra-time victory over Benin in the Round of 16, the 32-year-old Liverpool forward made it clear that expectations should be tempered.

“I don’t think we are favourites,” Salah said. “We have young players, most of them playing back home in Egypt. We are just fighting for our country, then we see where we can go. Everyone here just wants to give their best.”

Salah once again led by example, scoring the decisive third goal in extra time on Monday night to secure Egypt’s place in the quarter-finals. The strike took his personal tally to three goals in three matches at the tournament and his international record to 66 goals — just three short of head coach Hossam Hassan’s all-time Egypt scoring record of 69.

The Pharaohs rested Salah for the final group game against Angola once qualification was secured, a decision that appeared to pay dividends as the team showed greater physical edge in extra time against a resilient Benin side.

“Physically, we were a little better in extra time and that gave us the advantage,” Salah explained. “There is no easy game in Africa anymore because the levels are very close. I told the boys that we haven’t seen teams losing by four or five goals, and that says a lot.”

Salah also praised the quality of Benin, noting their strong structure and coaching, while highlighting the overall competitiveness of the tournament.

Despite his low-key presence off the pitch in Agadir, Salah’s influence on it has been undeniable. Having already experienced the agony of losing two AFCON finals (2017 and 2021), the Liverpool star is still chasing his first continental crown with Egypt.

Head coach Hossam Hassan has repeatedly lauded his captain’s leadership, especially in guiding a relatively young squad.

“He is a very important player, not only for us but also for his club Liverpool. He has shown his leadership in this tournament, guiding the young players and taking responsibility. We are blessed to have him, and I expect him to keep scoring,” Hassan said in a prior interview.

With the quarter-finals approaching, Salah and Egypt will look to maintain their focus and composure as they chase an unprecedented eighth AFCON title — the most in tournament history.