Egypt don land for World Cup again, but their story na one wey no get easy finish. Dis one na only fourth time for country, after 1934, 1990 and 2018, and e never win any match for di tournament. Five losses and two draws—dat one dey pain any football fan.
But dis year, something dey different. Mohamed Salah, di star wey don carry Liverpool for years, dey try make history before e finish international career. E don score 64 goals for Egypt, just four behind di record of Hossam Hassan, wey be coach now. If Salah score for World Cup, e go break record and silence critics wey say e never win Africa Cup of Nations.
Hossam Hassan and Salah no always see eye to eye, but now dem dey work together. Hassan score 68 goals for Egypt during im playing days from 1985 to 2006. Di team come from strong qualifiers—26 points from 30—and draw Spain 0-0 for March, then push Brazil for 1-2 loss last week. Dem dey come with confidence.
One surprise for di squad na Hamza Abdelkarim, 18-year-old wey play for FC Barcelona B. Di club just lift im option after loan from Al Ahly. People dey compare am to Salah because of im technical skills. E go use dis tournament to show world wetin e get.
Egypt carry four goalkeepers, one rare move. Di veteran Mahdy Soliman, 39 years, wey play for Zamalek, never even feature for national team. Di number one spot dey between Mohamed El Shenawy (37) and Oufa Shobeir (26).
Liverpool don send birthday message to Salah on June 15, im 34th birthday. Dem post for X: ‘Happy birthday to di Egyptian King.’ Di club Facebook page for Arabic add poem from Ahmed Al-Zain wey originally praise Taha Hussein, and quote Oum Kalthoum song ‘Ansak’ with line: ‘Years wey fly like seconds for your love.’
Dem also show im stats for nine years with Reds from 2017 to 2026. After World Cup, Salah go announce new club, with Saudi teams and Fenerbahce dey interested.
Egypt dey Group G with Belgium, Iran, and New Zealand. Di match against Belgium today go be first test. If dem fit win, e go end long wait for World Cup victory.
