AFCON 2023: Cape Verde Star Garry Rodrigues Fires Warning Shots to Mo Salah and Egypt

• Garry Rodrigues is eyeing another giant-killing at the 2023 AFCON
• The Cape Verde star helped his side stun Ghana in their opener
• He has one goal in two games and is plotting to do the same vs Egypt

Cape Verde attacker Garry Rodrigues has sent a poignant message to Egypt ahead of their third group game in the ongoing 2023 TotalEnergies Africa Cup of Nations.

The Blue Sharks will cross swords with the seven-time African champions on Monday, January 22, at the Stade Felix Houphouet-Boigny after excelling in their previous games against Ghana and Mozambique.

Egypt, who have two points from two games, must win at all costs to avoid early elimination.

Conversely, the Islanders, who have already booked their tickets to the knockout round after two games, can afford the luxury of a defeat and still qualify as Group B winners.

AFCON 2023: Egypt Star Mahmoud Trezeguet Outlines Pharaohs Goal in Ivory Coast

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Nonetheless, Rodrigues, who has been one of the standout players from the competition thus far, is bent on helping his side maintain their 100 per cent record in the competition.

Ahead of Monday's encounter, the former Olympiacos forward is looking forward to steering his side to cause a major upset against the Pharaohs.

"Egypt are a big side in Africa, and we have to respect them. But our target still remains the same," the 33-year-old stated emphatically at the pre-match conference.

"We've won two games already. We want to also win the last game. We focus on ourselves.

"We still want to be first. I think it will be nice if we get the nine points," he concluded.

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Egypt dealt major Salah injury blow

In a significant setback for Egypt, Sports Brief reported that Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp has disclosed that Mohamed Salah will head back to the EPL club for rehabilitation after sustaining an injury during the Africa Cup of Nations in Ivory Coast.

CAF boss Motsepe confident AFCON will avoid 'painful experience' of Cameroon

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Salah was substituted in the first half of Egypt's match against Ghana due to a muscle injury, leading to a 2-2 draw.

The Egyptian FA confirmed that Salah had a strain in the posterior muscle and would be unavailable for the next two matches with his national team.