‘Salah to add weight to Egypt’s quest for Olympic medal’
- 25 Mar 2021
Egypt coach Shawky Gharib said on Thursday that Liverpool striker Mohamed Salah was ready to add significant weight behind the country’s quest for a first ever Olympic football medal in Tokyo.
“I have made it public that I’d like to have him on board in our Olympic campaign and he hasn’t refused, which means he also wants to play with us,” Gharib, the celebrated former Egyptian player turned manager, said.
“Salah’s participation in the Olympics is endorsed by the state, represented by the Sports Ministry and the Egyptian Football Association, in our concerted effort to garner an Olympic medal in football for the first time,” he added.
He said the “three-way” decision will be up to Salah, Liverpool coach Jurgen Klopp and Gharib himself.
Despite Liverpool’s stuttering title defence, Salah is still this season’s joint English Premier League top-scorer alongside Harry Kane on 17, with a tally of 25 goals in all competitions.
“Salah, as one of the three best players internationally, will lift the Pharoahs to a whole new level in the Olympics,” Gharib said.
“His presence with us will make a huge difference,” he added, likening Salah to Neymar who helped Brazil clinch their first football gold medal at the Rio Olympic Games in 2016.
COMOROS IN 1ST EVER CAN FINALS: Comoros reached the Africa Cup of Nations finals for the first time despite being held 0-0 at home by Togo on Thursday in a matchday five qualifier.
The team from the island state have nine points from five matches and are guaranteed one of two Group G places at the 2021 tournament in Cameroon, with Egypt or Kenya filling the other.
Kenya host record seven-time African champions Egypt in Nairobi at 1900 local time (1600 GMT) and must win to retain a slim chance of becoming the other qualifiers.
The Comorans rely heavily on players born abroad to parents from the southeast African nation that has three main islands and a population approaching 900,00.
Only three starters against Togo are with top-flight clubs in Europe while one, forward Ahmed Mogni, plays for a French amateur side.
