Egypt's AFCON Journey: Salah Says Not Favorites, But Promises a Fierce Fight

The Africa Cup of Nations is always a pressure cooker, especially for a nation with Egypt's footballing pedigree. And while many might automatically place the Pharaohs among the top contenders, their captain, the legendary Mohamed Salah, has offered a surprisingly candid, almost refreshing, perspective. He's not shying away from the truth, it seems.

"No, I don't think we are among the favorites," Salah stated quite plainly ahead of their crucial round of 16 clash against DR Congo. It's a statement that, while perhaps unexpected from a superstar, reflects a certain realism. This isn't Salah throwing in the towel; far from it. It's a pragmatic assessment from a player who has experienced the heartbreak of two AFCON final defeats – in 2017 against Cameroon and again in 2021, when Senegal edged them out. You can almost feel the weight of those near-misses in his words.

Despite not seeing his team as front-runners, there's a fire in Salah's belly, a burning desire that remains undimmed. "We are going to keep fighting and do our best to win the tournament," he insisted. That's the spirit, isn't it? It’s about that unwavering commitment, that refusal to give up, even when the odds might not be squarely in your favour. The dream of lifting that trophy, it's still very much alive, no matter the label.

Adding another layer of challenge to Egypt's campaign are the injury setbacks. Forward Mostafa Mohamed, who’d been finding the net, and midfielder Emam Ashour, a key presence, both picked up knocks in their last group game against Cape Verde. Salah himself acknowledged these concerns, hoping they weren’t too serious. It’s a tough ask, really, for any team to lose crucial players at such a vital stage, but it often galvanizes a squad, forcing others to step up. The depth of character will certainly be tested.

Coach Rui Vitoria, perhaps naturally, maintains a more outwardly optimistic stance, aiming high. "We play to win," he affirmed, understanding the immense pressure that comes with managing a football-mad nation like Egypt. Yet, even he echoed the pragmatic sentiment of focusing on one match at a time. It’s a classic footballing mantra, sure, but it's particularly pertinent in a knockout tournament where every single game is, quite literally, a final in itself. Their journey continues, and the focus is solely on DR Congo for now.

So, while Mohamed Salah might not be hailing Egypt as the outright favorites for this AFCON, his words carry the weight of a leader who understands the reality of the challenge, yet refuses to surrender. It's a testament to their enduring fight, a quiet promise that they'll battle tooth and nail for every single ball. The road ahead is undoubtedly tough, but for Salah and the Pharaohs, the belief, and more importantly, the fight, is very much on.