Rabat – Egypt captain Mohamed Salah has urged caution as his team heads into the quarterfinals of the Africa Cup of Nations Morocco 2025.
Despite Egypt’s long history with the competition winning 7 times, Salah believes his side should not be considered the leading contender for the title.
Speaking after Egypt’s 3–1 win over Benin in the Round of 16, Salah explained that the squad is primarily composed of players from the domestic league.
He noted that while this group has shown determination, it faces tough competition from nations with squads full of Europe-based stars.
“I don’t think Egypt is the number one candidate to win the title, because most of our players play in the local league. We’ll see how far we can go in this tournament,” Salah said.
The Pharaohs advanced from their group after finishing top, ahead of Angola and Zimbabwe.
Their Round of 16 match against Benin was tense, with Egypt needing extra time to secure a win. Salah scored late to seal the result, reminding fans of his ability to deliver in crucial moments.
Egypt will now face the winner of Cote d’Ivoire vs Burkina Faso in the quarterfinals. cote d’Ivoire, the defending champions are seen as one of the strongest teams in the tournament. Burkina, meanwhile, are chasing history with a surprise run.
Coach Hossam Hassan has stressed that Egypt respects every opponent but remains focused on chasing an eighth AFCON crown. The team’s mix of local talent and Salah’s leadership will be tested against tougher rivals in the coming rounds.
Egypt remains the most successful nation in AFCON history, with seven titles. Salah’s cautious words are an attempt to protect his team from heavy pressure.
By saying Egypt are not the main favorites, he lowered expectations and kept the squad calm.
