Mo Salah makes bold declaration ahead of round of 16 clash against Ivory Coast

• Salah says the Africa Cup of Nations trophy will be a special one to him if he wins it
• The Liverpool man’s nation Egypt meet Ivory Coast in the last 16 on Wednesday, January 26
• The Pharaohs are one of the favourites to win the competition after emerging as runners up two editions ago

Liverpool and Egypt winger Mohammed Salah says the Africa Cup of Nations trophy will be the one closest to his heart if his nation manages to clinch it.

Salah, 29, was speaking at a press conference ahead of the Pharaohs crunch round of 16 clash against Ivory Coast, slated for Wednesday, January 26.

Egypt are considered one of the favourites in the tournament, and their chances of winning it have been raised by the exits of some giants including Ghana, Nigeria and Algeria.

Coach Carlos Queiroz’s men have however been effective, rather than brilliant in the tournament so far.

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They lost their opening game of the tournament to Nigeria in Group D before following it up with back to back 1-0 wins against Sudan and Guinea Bissau.

The game against Ivory Coast, another team considered favourites to win it, will be their biggest test in the tournament so far, and Salah made it clear he has his eye on the prize.

“Of course, I want to win something with the national team,” the Liverpool man said.

“It’s my country. What I love most. This trophy for me, would be completely different. It would be the closest one to my heart,”

The closest Egypt came to winning the tournament with Salah being part of the squad was in 2017, when they went all the way to the final, but lost 2-1 to Cameroon, who came from behind to claim a famous win.

At club level, Salah has enjoyed immense success, and it is with Liverpool that some of his best football has come to life.

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With Liverpool, Salah won the Champions League in 2019, following that triumph up with the Premier League in 2020.

At the moment, his Liverpool side are the closest rivals to runaway Premier League leaders Manchester City as they sit second with 48 points, nine points behind the Citizens.

Sadio Mane concussed in head clash during AFCON round of 16 match

Salah’s teammate Sadio mane, meanwhile, is in hospital after a nasty collision with opposition goalkeeper during Senegal’s round of 16 clash with Cape Verde on Tuesday, January 25.

Amazingly, Mane managed to curl in a beautiful strike to give his nation the lead in the game, only moments after he seemingly lost consciousness for a few seconds.