Mohamed Salah once again showed his leadership and maturity when addressing the expectations surrounding Egypt ahead of the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON). Far from fueling the pressure, the Liverpool forward was clear in stating that his team does not start as favorites to win the title, despite being one of the most historic national teams on the continent.

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In recent statements, Salah acknowledged that Egypt always carries a special responsibility because of its successful past, but he emphasized that African football has evolved significantly in recent years. “There are many strong teams in Africa. There are no easy matches anymore and anyone can win,” the Egyptian captain said, downplaying the favorite label that many place on his national team.

The forward also emphasized that the group’s true objective is to compete match by match, without becoming obsessed with the trophy from the very beginning. For Salah, the key lies in maintaining focus, humility, and collective effort, beyond individual names. “It’s not about one single player. Winning depends on the team, on everyone’s effort,” he stated.

Egypt enters the tournament with a mix of experience and youth, aiming to regain the prominence lost after falling just short of the title in recent editions. Salah, who has been a finalist on multiple occasions without lifting the trophy, admitted that winning the AFCON remains one of his major unfinished dreams, but he insisted that the pressure should not become a burden.

With these words, Mohamed Salah not only shakes off external expectations but also sends a message of calm and realism to the Egyptian fans. In a tournament as competitive and unpredictable as the AFCON, Egypt prefers to progress step by step, keeping their ambition intact without declaring themselves favorites prematurely.

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