Nigerian football legends Austin “Jay-Jay” Okocha and John Obi Mikel have emphasized the monumental weight of the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in defining the career legacy of Egyptian talisman Mohamed Salah. Despite amassing a glittering collection of silverware at the club level—including multiple Premier League titles and a Champions League crown with Liverpool—the continental trophy remains the only major honor missing from Salah’s resume.
As the Pharaohs prepare to confront Senegal in a high-stakes semi-final in Tangier this Wednesday, the two former Super Eagles captains noted that for African players, international success serves as the ultimate yardstick for legendary status.
The discussion, which took place during Channel 4 Sport’s tournament coverage, centered on the psychological pressure facing the 33-year-old winger. Salah has experienced the heartbreak of losing two AFCON finals in 2017 and 2021, and the current tournament in Morocco represents perhaps his best remaining opportunity to secure the elusive gold medal. John Obi Mikel pointed out that the Egyptian captain enters this week’s fixtures with a singular focus on redemption, knowing that his historical standing among the continent’s all-time greats often hinges on delivering for his country.
“Salah will be looking to get his hand on AFCON because he hasn’t won it yet,” Obi Mikel stated during the broadcast.
Okocha expanded on this sentiment, explaining the cultural nuances of African football where domestic success in Europe, while respected, cannot fully substitute for national team glory. He suggested that the “legend” tag carries a different requirement in Africa, demanding a tangible contribution to the national team’s trophy cabinet. According to the former Bolton Wanderers maestro, Salah’s journey remains incomplete until he emulates the championship success of Egyptian icons like Mohamed Aboutrika or Ahmed Hassan.
“In Africa, you might win whatever trophy with your club, if you don’t win anything for your nation, they don’t regard you as a legend,” Okocha further stated.
Egypt arrives at the semi-final stage after a grueling 3-2 victory over defending champions Ivory Coast, a match in which Salah contributed both a goal and an assist. They now face a familiar foe in Senegal, the team that denied them the title in a penalty shootout during the 2021 final. This Wednesday’s rematch at the Grand Stade de Tanger offers Salah a chance to not only lead his team to the final but also to silence critics who question his international pedigree compared to his prolific output in the Premier League.
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