ABIDJAN: Egypt coach Rui Vitoria said it was 鈥渢oo early to say鈥� whether Mohamed Salah would play again at this year鈥檚 Africa Cup of Nations after he sustained an injury in Thursday鈥檚 2-2 draw with Ghana.
The Liverpool striker went off late in the first half of the Group B game in Abidjan after appearing to clutch the back of his left leg.
鈥淲e don鈥檛 know yet what is the problem. I hope not a big problem...It is too early to say something,鈥� said Vitoria after his team鈥檚 second successive 2-2 draw in the tournament.
鈥淪alah is an amazing player, one of the best players in the world, so we want to have this kind of player always with us.鈥�
Salah鈥檚 penalty in stoppage time spared Egypt from a shock loss to Mozambique in their opening game, and the Pharaohs were up against it once more against a much-improved Ghana side.
The Black Stars, who were stunned 2-1 by Cape Verde to begin the competition, took the lead after Salah鈥檚 injury when Mohammed Kudus hammered in a long-range shot in first-half stoppage time.
Omar Marmoush equalized before Kudus struck again, but Mostafa Mohamed ensured Egypt came away with a point as the Nantes forward netted for the second game in a row.
鈥淭he players were upset after conceding at the end of the first half...but it鈥檚 football, we changed the mindset in the second half, we went for the game with positive energy,鈥� said Vitoria.
鈥淣ot because of Salah, but because the result was not good. The reaction and commitment of the team were good, but Salah is an amazing player and we cannot forget that.鈥�
Vitoria insisted that regardless of the nature of Salah鈥檚 injury his team is still capable of winning a record-extending eighth AFCON title.
鈥淣obody wins the title without coming through difficult games...today we showed, mainly in the second half, the courage and quality of this team.鈥�