Salah's fitness at AFCON remains unclear with statement expected

Egypt's Mohamed Salah has stated that his country and Premier League club Liverpool will issue a statement regarding his injury at the Africa Cup of Nations, leaving it unclear whether he will be able to continue competing in the tournament in the Ivory Coast.

The Liverpool forward and Egypt captain limped out of his team's last match on Thursday and has already been ruled out of their final Group B game against the Cape Verde Islands in Abidjan on Monday.

However, he did not elaborate on the possibility of his continued participation if Egypt advances to the knockout stage, which begins at the weekend.

“There will be a joint statement between the national team and Liverpool regarding the injury today or tomorrow at the latest,” Salah told Sunday's press conference.

It suggests Salah, 31, could return to Liverpool in the coming days to continue treatment on his injury.

"My injury is still there but the most important thing now is to speak about the game,” he told reporters.

“Our primary goal is to secure qualification for the next round, with skilled players, a good coach and a clear vision.

"We're fully committed to giving our best in the tournament and we just need to fight and see what will happen," he added of the game with Cape Verde, who despite being the smallest country at the finals have already secured top place in the group.

Salah also discussed the fact that he has yet to win a trophy with Egypt, having twice finished second at the Cup of Nations.

"I have won everything possible but not this one yet. It will happen somehow, that is what I believe, and whatever I believe I achieve, so sooner or later it will happen.

“Everybody knows what it means to any player to win an Africa Cup. We were unlucky at the last one and also in Gabon. The players are very motivated to win the tournament. We all want to win it."

SportsLigue