Egypt captain Mohamed Salah will be looking to turn the page on a painful chapter against Senegal when the two sides meet again, with qualification on the line and a single goal potentially making the difference.
The Liverpool star has faced Senegal in the biggest moments in recent years, yet the outcome has repeatedly gone the same way for Egypt. In the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations final, the teams were locked at 0-0 over 120 minutes before Senegal won 4-2 on penalties, denying Egypt the title and leaving Salah without a goal in the showpiece.
Just weeks later, the rivalry deepened in the 2022 FIFA World Cup qualifiers. After Egypt won the first leg in Cairo 1-0, Senegal replied with a 1-0 win in Dakar to force a shootout, where the hosts went through 3-1 on penalties, ending Egypt’s World Cup dream once again at Senegal’s hands.
Salah’s struggles in front of goal against Senegal have been a constant talking point, with the forward still searching for a decisive moment in this fixture. The new meeting brings a fresh chance, and this time the equation is clear: a goal could be enough to seal qualification and change the story.
Egypt head into the clash knowing what is required in a tight contest, and Salah is expected to carry the main attacking burden again. For the national team captain, the challenge is not only about hitting the net, but also about finally breaking Egypt’s recent curse against Senegal when it matters most.
