Tangiers, Morocco - In a highly anticipated clash, Liverpool legends Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mané are set to face off in the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) semi-final. The match between Egypt and Senegal on Wednesday will be the first time the former teammates share a pitch since the Champions League final in May 2022.
Salah and Mané, who both now are 33 years old, were key figures in Liverpool's attack under Jürgen Klopp, alongside Roberto Firmino. Together, they achieved considerable success, securing the Champions League title in 2019 and the Premier League title in 2020. However, their relationship wasn't always smooth. Firmino noted in his autobiography that Salah and Mané "were never best friends". Despite this, they maintained professionalism throughout their time together.
Their rivalry extends beyond club football, particularly intensified by the Egypt-Senegal clashes on the international stage. Mané has often emerged victorious in these encounters, including the 2022 AFCON final and a World Cup qualifier. In the 2022 AFCON final, Senegal won on penalties, with Mané scoring the decisive kick after Salah was due to take Egypt's next penalty. Shortly after that, in a World Cup qualifying play-off, Mané scored again, securing Senegal's place in the tournament.
Salah has openly expressed his determination to win AFCON, the only major title missing from his collection. He has faced defeat in two previous AFCON finals, in 2017 against Cameroon and in 2022 against Senegal. This tournament may be one of Salah's last opportunities to win a major international honor with Egypt. Salah is currently the captain for Egypt and has four goals in the tournament.
Mané, on the other hand, is focused on leading Senegal to another continental victory. According to Ferdinand Kouli, a former teammate of Mané, the Al-Nassr star is preparing for the clash with Salah "in a special way". Kouli emphasized the psychological preparation, recognizing the match's global attention and the inherent tension between the two nations.
The semi-final match is more than just a game; it's a clash of two footballing giants, former teammates, and rivals on the international stage. The match will be decided in the finer details, and they will have to make as few mistakes as possible in order to get past the Egyptian team".
