Mohamed Salah go dey make amends for lost time and missed chances this summer. Di 33-year-old dey back for World Cup stage with Egypt for di first time since 2018 edition, wey turn to disaster for di Pharaohs.
Di soon-to-be former Liverpool star go dey determined to avoid past mistakes as e dey try to make history with im country. Dis go be only di fourth World Cup appearance for Egypt history, and only dia second since 1990.
Di most recent one no go well at all, as Salah and im boys leave Russia without any point, plus plenty wahala behind di scenes. Dem still no don win any World Cup match as result. Worse tin happen when dem fail to qualify for 2022, wey deny dia star di chance to play for di biggest stage at di peak of im power.
Now, di Pharaohs dey back, but dia star dey near di end of im career as e dey try to make belated history for im country. E go be man on mission for North America.
As di Pharaohs dey prepare to face Belgium for dia opening Group G match on Monday, Egypt legendary former striker and coach Hossam Hassan don make am clear say im goal dey beyond just to qualify for World Cup.
Hassan, wey don represent Egypt for World Cup as player for 1990 and now dey lead di team as head coach, believe say di time don come for di Pharaohs to fulfill dia potential and finally stand among di world elite.
“Reaching di World Cup as player and coach na big tin,” Hassan tok before Egypt tournament opener. “Egypt suppose take im rightful place for football. Back for 1990, I tink we do sometin good although we no follow am through. We play well, come close to go through but e no be so. So I hope, God willing, we fit finally go through.”
While di North Africans be Africa most decorated football nation with record seven AFCON titles, dem still dey search for dia first-ever appearance for di knockout stages of di World Cup. Di seven-time African champions don build proud legacy over decades, inspiring generations through dia achievements for continental stage. But Hassan know say World Cup football get special place for Egyptians heart.
“Di idea of football for Egypt no be to take am light. E no be just game, e be life. Whenever Egyptians see di Egyptian flag, dem rally round am every time, especially when e come to football. Wetin matter to me na to live up to di expectations of Egyptian people and fans.”
Dat sense of responsibility go accompany di Pharaohs as dem step onto di field against Belgium side wey dem dey see as favourites to top Group G. For di forefront of Egypt challenge na captain Mohamed Salah. Hassan get special praise for im captain, highlighting both im achievements and im importance to Egypt ambitions.
“Mohamed Salah don break plenty records around di world,” di coach tok. “E be one of di best players for di world and I hope e score more dan me. Di most important tin na for us to win and score goals for Egypt.”
Alongside Salah, di emergence of players like Omar Marmoush don give Egypt extra attacking quality and reinforce hopes say dis generation fit leave lasting mark for di global stage.
