Africa Cup of Nations

MOHAMED SALAH’S Africa Cup of Nations could be over after he suffered a hamstring injury against Ghana.The Liverpool forward left the field injured on Thursday as Egypt played out a 2-2 draw.
Mohamed Salah’s Africa Cup of Nations could be overCredit: Getty
The Egyptian FA have now announced that Salah suffered a hamstring strain and will miss his country’s next two matches.
As a result, he is ruled out of their final group match against Cape Verde as well as the round of 16, if they qualify.
Egypt are second in group B after drawing their first two matches, and now need a win in the final fixture to guarantee progression.
However, they will now have to do so without their star man, against a side that has already won the group.
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Salah, who scored a stoppage time penalty against Mozambique on Sunday, appeared to fight back tears as he left the pitch against Ghana.
He was forced off on the stroke of half-time after receiving treatment on the pitch.
Fans had been hopeful Salah would be able to play Egypt’s next match, though.
The 31-year-old was spotted smiling as he left the stadium following the match.
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Unfortunately for Egypt and Salah, however, his tournament could now be over if they do not reach the last eight.
Reds boss Jurgen Klopp admitted he went into a state of “shock” when he saw his star man go down.
And Liverpool’s boss has not ruled out flying the club’s own medical team to Africa Cup of Nations host country Ivory Coast to treat his star.
Klopp said: “I spoke last night with him and how it is with these injuries — you need further assessment. That’s what they are doing now and then we will know more.
“Of course it was in that moment a shock: ‘Oh my God, what is it?’.  You have these kinds of hamstring injuries in a different way but he  felt it.
“And we all know how rarely Mo goes off or needs to go off, so there is definitely something and we will see.”
If Egypt crash out after Monday’s group finale, then Salah will be back on Merseyside by next week.
An Anfield medical team is now on standby. Asked whether the Reds will send their own experts, Klopp said: “There will be an ultrasound and they will do an MRI.
“Then we will know what  it is and we will see what Egypt plans. But it’s too early to say.”
The forward will miss the round of 16 if Egypt qualifyCredit: Getty More

TANZANIA have sacked manager Adel Amrouche after just ONE GAME in the Africa Cup of Nations.Amrouche landed himself on hot water after his team’s 3-0 thrashing to Morocco at the Ivory Coast.
Tanzania fired manager Adel Amrouce after one game in the Africa Cup of NationsCredit: AFP
Amrouche was suspended by CAF and Tanzania after a rant at MoroccoCredit: AP
According to Sportstar, the Algerian tactician claimed the Atlas Lions held too much sway in African football and were influencing the appointment of referees.
That led to an eight-match ban from the Confederation of African Football (CAF) disciplinary committee after a complaint was launched from Moroccan chiefs.
Tanzania’s football federation soon followed suit by initially suspending the 55-year-old following the incident.
But ultimately the African nation decided to fire Amrouche after just 10 months.
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Tanzania placed Hemed Morocco as acting coach and Juma Mgunda as his assistant.
Amrouche only managed a total of nine match with the African outfit, winning three.
And he entered this month’s Afcon in the Ivory Coast looking to make history by securing Tanzania’s first win in the tournament.
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But the opening game against tournament favourites Morocco proved to be his last.
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The Moroccans picked up a smooth victory with goals by ex-Wolves ace Romain Saiss, Azzedine Ounahi and Youssef En-Nesyri.
Tanzania are now facing two crucial matches in the group stage against Zambia and Congo without their boss. More

NOTTINGHAM FOREST star Cheikhou Kouyate has left the Africa Cup of Nations to attend his father’s funeral.Senegal released a statement confirming the midfielder’s departure from the tournament.
Cheikhou Kouyate has left Afcon to attend his father’s funeralCredit: Getty
It reads: “The president of the Senegalese Football Federation Mr Augustin Senghor, the members of the executive committee, the coach of the national football team Mr Aliou Cisse, the players of the national football team and the football family have the regret and deep pain to inform you of the death of Mr Bangiougou Kouyate, father of Cheikhou Kouyate, member of the Senegal national team.
“His death occurred this Tuesday, January 16, in Dakar. The funeral is planned for Wednesday January 17 at the Khar Yalla mosque followed by the burial at the Musalman cemetery in Yoff.
“In this painful circumstance, the Senegalese Football Federation presents its most saddened condolences to Cheikhou Kouyate who was also authorized to leave the national team gathering today, to go to the funeral in Dakar.”
Kouyate, 34, was an unused substitute in Senegal’s Afcon opener as they beat Gambia 3-0.
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He was a key part of the team that won the Africa Cup of Nations in 2022, and played in the final win over Egypt.
Kouyate has won 90 caps for Senegal and has been to five Afcon tournaments.
Nottingham Forest players will wear black armbands during tonight’s FA Cup replay against Blackpool as a mark of respect.
A club statement said: “Our deepest condolences go out to Cheikhou Kouyaté following the passing of his father.
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“Everyone at the club sends their love and thoughts to Cheikhou and his family at this truly difficult time. “We will wear black armbands tonight in memory of Cheikhou’s father. “We are all with you, Cheikhou.” :pray:
Fans have shared their condolences for the Forest star following the tragic news.
One wrote: “May his soul rest in peace.”
Another added: “Peace to his soul may he rest in peace. Courage Kouyate.”
And a third said: “May the almighty grant him rest. 🙏” More