There are only three certainties in life: death, taxes and a dramatic Africa Cup of Nations. However, even by the tournament's extraordinary standards, the final of the 2025 edition was like nothing we've ever seen before - albeit not in a good way. In the 93rd minute of a tense but largely uneventful encounter in Rabat, Senegal had a goal from Ismaila Sarr very harshly disallowed for a perceived foul by Abdoulaye Seck on Achraf Hakimi beforehand. Just moments later, Morocco were awarded a penalty after an invention by the Video Assistant Referee (VAR), who had spotted a minor tug on Brahim Diaz's shirt by El Hadji Malick Diouf.
There was heartache for Mohamed Salah who missed his shootout penalty as Egypt finished fourth at the Africa Cup of Nations on Saturday. The Egyptian icon’s spot kick was saved after his side drew 0-0 draw in the third-place play-off against Nigeria, which the Super Eagles won 4-2 on penalties. Salah was one of two Egyptian players to miss his penalty alongside Omar Marmoush.
After falling to beat Morocco in the post-match penalties in the semi-final, this time around, the Super Eagles were sharp as they outclassed the Pharaohs. The West Africans clinched a record-extending AFCON bronze medal following their win over Salah-led Egypt. Now that the battle for bronze has been settled, all eyes are on the ultimate prize, which will be contested for on Sunday between Senegal and the hosts, Morocco.
GOAL gives you the details to follow the Pharaohs and Super Eagles' third-place clash at Stade Mohamed V on Saturday. Both teams failed to reach the final and they are now embroiled in the fight for bronze to salvage some respect after they were touted as tournament favourites. None would want to lose a second successive match at this tournament.
Former Liverpool midfielder Didi Hamann has hit out at Mohamed Salah after the Reds star suggested he had nothing left to prove in an explosive interview following Liverpool's 3-3 draw with Leeds United in December. The 33-year-old has spent the past month away at AFCON and Hamann says it might be best for player and club to part ways, slamming the Egyptian's comments that he doesn't want to 'fight every day' for his position at Anfield.
In a wide-ranging blog interview, the former AFCON winner revealed his views on the tournament's semi final stage, the battle between Mane and Salah, the upcoming final and picks his standout players.
Liverpool are in talks with Mohamed Salah regarding a return to club action. The Egyptian superstar has been away on international duty at the Africa Cup of Nations since mid-December. A heartbreaking semi-final exit from that competition has been suffered against Senegal. The Pharaohs still have a third-place play-off to take in, after which their talismanic captain will be cleared to head back to England.
Former Liverpool striker Stan Collymore has told GOAL why the Reds could get rid of both Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk in the summer of 2026. Arne Slot is expected to be granted license to build for the future on Merseyside, with the reigning Premier League champions looking to “indulge” the likes of Alexander Isak and Florian Wirtz as “old top men” move on.
The Super Eagles came into the match hoping to go all the way and make amends for the shortcomings that saw them finish second two years ago in the Ivory Coast. However, they were not going to get it easy playing the Atlas Lions, who have enjoyed massive home support since the start of the biennial competition.
Liverpool will have to wait a little while longer to welcome Mohamed Salah back at Anfield despite Egypt's Africa Cup of Nations exit at the hands of Senegal. The Pharoahs suffered semi-final heartbreak in Morocco on Wednesday night as Salah's former Reds co-star Sadio Mane fired home a clinical late winner to send his country to the final.
This is particularly a big blow to Mohamed Salah's individual ambition of winning the international trophy for his country, which has remained an elusive mission in his career so far. For Mane and his teammates, the dream of winning the second AFCON trophy remains very much alive after progressing to the ultimate stage. The win means Senegal have stamped their authority on this fixture, as they have a decent record against the Pharaohs, where they have now won four of their last six games.
While Arne Slot seems to think that Liverpool's starting line-up is stronger without Mohamed Salah, the winger has been conspicuous by his absence in recent weeks, with the Reds struggling to score goals without their talisman. It's clear that they need their Egyptian King back at Anfield as quickly as possible. Salah, though, is desperate to extend his stay at the Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco. Indeed, he's not even attempting to hide just how much the tournament means to him.
Mohamed Salah has reached an international goal milestone quicker than Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo. The Liverpool superstar is currently on Africa Cup of Nations duty with Egypt. He has helped to fire them into the semi-finals of that competition. During a last-eight showdown with the Ivory Coast, Salah found the target and reached 100 goal contributions for his country.
Michael Owen has explained to GOAL why he can see Mohamed Salah sticking around at Liverpool, with Premier League heavyweights and an Egyptian superstar appearing to have "kissed and made up". Owen believes that the Reds may have overseen a "stroke of genius" that brings a revitalised performer back into their ranks for the second half of the season.
Liverpool fans will have to wait a little longer to see Mohamed Salah back in the famous red jersey after the Egyptian icon scored for his country to extend their stay at the Africa Cup of Nations. Salah was on the scoresheet in the thrilling 3-1 victory over Benin and now face a quarter-final clash on Saturday, with the Reds due to face Premier League leaders Arsenal this week.
Jamie Carragher has predicted when Mohamed Salah will receive his grand send-off from Liverpool. The Egypt international took aim at the club before jetting off with Egypt to the Africa Cup of Nations, insisting they had thrown him under the bus, and Carragher has now put his neck on the line by attempting to predict when he will leave the club.
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