Egypt captain Mohamed Salah has dismissed suggestions that the Pharaohs are favourites to win the TotalEnergies Africa Cup of Nations, AFCON, Morocco 2025, insisting the team is focused on taking the tournament one game at a time.
Egypt sealed their place in the quarter-finals after a hard-fought 3–1 extra-time victory over Benin, as they continue their pursuit of a record-extending eighth continental title. Salah once again led by example, scoring the decisive third goal on Monday night to take his tally to three goals in three matches at the tournament.
The Liverpool forward praised the opposition after the encounter, admitting Egypt were pushed to their limits.
“We played against a team with a good coach and a strong structure. It wasn’t easy, but we are happy to have won in the end,” Salah told cafonline.com.
Despite his growing influence on the pitch, Salah has largely kept a low profile off it during Egypt’s stay in Agadir, choosing to focus on the team’s objectives and his own quest for redemption. The 32-year-old has twice suffered defeat in AFCON finals and is still chasing his first continental title.
Salah is also closing in on a major personal milestone. His three goals in Morocco have taken him to 66 international goals, leaving him just three short of head coach Hossam Hassan’s long-standing Egypt record of 69.
Hassan, an AFCON winner as a player, has backed his captain to surpass the mark.
“He is a very important player, not only for us but also for his club Liverpool,” Hassan said previously. “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.”
For Salah, however, individual records are of little concern. His focus, like that of the Egyptian team, remains firmly on one goal: lifting the AFCON trophy at last.
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