Salah Remains Convinced He Will Win the Africa Cup with Egypt ‘Sooner or Later’ 

Egypt's forward #10 Mohamed Salah reacts during a press conference at the Palais de la Culture in Abidjan on January 21, 2024 on the eve of the 2024 Africa Cup of Nations (CAN) football match between Egypt and Cape Verde. (AFP)
Egypt's forward #10 Mohamed Salah reacts during a press conference at the Palais de la Culture in Abidjan on January 21, 2024 on the eve of the 2024 Africa Cup of Nations (CAN) football match between Egypt and Cape Verde. (AFP)
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Salah Remains Convinced He Will Win the Africa Cup with Egypt ‘Sooner or Later’ 

Egypt's forward #10 Mohamed Salah reacts during a press conference at the Palais de la Culture in Abidjan on January 21, 2024 on the eve of the 2024 Africa Cup of Nations (CAN) football match between Egypt and Cape Verde. (AFP)
Egypt's forward #10 Mohamed Salah reacts during a press conference at the Palais de la Culture in Abidjan on January 21, 2024 on the eve of the 2024 Africa Cup of Nations (CAN) football match between Egypt and Cape Verde. (AFP)

Despite his injury and Egypt’s underwhelming start to the Africa Cup of Nations, Mohamed Salah is still convinced he will win the tournament "sooner or later."

The two-time African player of the year has never won the Africa Cup, coming closest at the last edition and in 2017 when Egypt lost in the final on both occasions.

"I’ve won everything possible but this is the one I did not, yet," the Liverpool star said Sunday. "It will happen somehow. That’s what I believe. And whatever I believe, I achieve. So, it will happen. Sooner or later, it will happen."

To make sure Egypt advances to the knockout stage of the current edition in Ivory Coast, the "Pharaohs" on Monday first need to beat Group B winner Cape Verde – and without the injured Salah.

Salah has a hamstring injury from Egypt’s 2-2 draw with Ghana and is expected to sit out two games.

"We’re not doing great at the moment, but we are a fantastic team, we have a great coach. So we just need to stay focused and have a good vision and be positive. And I believe with the hard work, everything will be possible," Salah said.

Egypt has won more Africa Cup titles than any other country, but Salah said the team was determined to extend its record to eight trophies.

"I think everybody knows what it means to any player to win the Africa Cup. We’re always proud to wear that shirt," Salah said. "We were unlucky at the last one, the one in Gabon (in 2017) also, a bit unlucky. I think the players are very motivated to win the tournament. We all want to win it."

Egypt is not the only pre-tournament favorite to be struggling to reach the knockout stage. Also in Group B, Ghana needs a win against Mozambique to maintain its hopes of progressing. The top two in each group advance to the last 16, while the best four third-placed finishers in each group also progress.

Host nation Ivory Coast and Nigeria face anxious games Monday against Equatorial Guinea and Guinea-Bissau, respectively, in Group A.

Cameroon, Algeria and Tunisia are among the potential title candidates struggling.

"It’s really tricky," said Salah, who noted that improving standards were making games more unpredictable.

"I think the African football is improving a lot. You also saw at the World Cup, we went so far with Morocco and the whole of Africa was behind them. So, I think it’s improving a lot."



‘Fatal Fury’ Boxing Spectacle Set to Kick off in Riyadh in May 

‘Fatal Fury’ Boxing Spectacle Set to Kick off in Riyadh in May 
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‘Fatal Fury’ Boxing Spectacle Set to Kick off in Riyadh in May 

‘Fatal Fury’ Boxing Spectacle Set to Kick off in Riyadh in May 

The exceptional boxing event “Fatal Fury” is set to launch in Riyadh on May 3 as part of the Riyadh Season, hosted at the anb Arena.

It will feature a highly anticipated bout for the undisputed super middleweight world championship, pitting Mexican champion Saul “Canelo” Álvarez against Cuban champion William Scull.

The boxing event will open with a lineup of exciting preliminary fights, headlined by a fast-paced and powerful middleweight showdown between Mexican Jaime Munguía and Frenchman Bruno Surace.

Congolese boxer Martin Bakole will take on Nigerian Efe Ajagba in a heavyweight clash, while in the cruiserweight division, Sweden’s Badou Jack will face Canadian Ryan Rozicki in a fight that brings experience head-to-head with ambition.

The event also features a super welterweight bout between Mexican Marco Verde and Michel Polina, as well as a lightweight matchup between Cuban Bryan Leon and Mexican Aaron Guerrero, both seeking to establish themselves among boxing’s global elite.

This evening will mark Canelo Álvarez’s first defense of his four major titles (WBC, WBA, IBF, and WBO) outside the United States and Mexico, highlighting Riyadh Season’s rising global prominence and positioning the Saudi capital as a major hub for world-class boxing.

“Fatal Fury” is part of Saudi Arabia’s broader series of international events. It supports its strategy to become a leading destination for combat sports and offers a comprehensive sports entertainment experience for boxing fans locally and globally.