Egypt forward Mohamed Salah has stated his team are not among the favourites to lift the Africa Cup of Nations title, but insisted they would give their all to progress deeper into the tournament in Morocco.
Liverpool star Salah netted the third goal to secure Egypt’s place in the quarter-finals with a hard-fought 3-1 extra-time victory over Benin on Monday.
Hossam Hassan’s side are aiming to win the title for the first time since 2010 and a record eighth time overall.
“I don’t think we are a favourite at all (to win the title),” Salah told reporters. “We have young players, and most of them play in Egypt. We just fight for our country… but everybody gives their best and you could see today.”
The 33-year-old added there were no easy matches in the AFCON. “The level is quite similar, I told the team yesterday that no side loses by four or five goals. (Benin) have a good team and a good coach… I’m glad we managed to win in the end.”
Salah has scored 10 goals in 22 AFCON appearances, two fewer than Hassan El-Shazly, Egypt’s all-time top scorer in the competition, and one fewer than his current coach Hassan.
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