Record seven-time champions Egypt have given an update on injured captain Mohamed Salah, saying the Liverpool forward will miss the next two games of the African Cup of Nations.
Salah, 31, sparked fears of a potentially lengthy lay-off after limping off in the first half of Thursday’s 2-2 draw with Ghana.
However, the results of a scan have revealed a muscle strain which Egypt say will rule the Liverpool striker out of their final Group B fixture against already-qualified Cape Verde on Monday and, if they progress, their last-16 tie as well.
“The X-rays that Mohamed Salah, the captain of the Egyptian national team, underwent, showed that he suffered a hamstring strain,” an Egyptian Football Association statement read.
“And he will miss the team’s next two matches in the Africa Cup of Nations against Cape Verde, and then the round of 16 match in the event of qualification.”
Egypt are currently second in Group B after two draws with Mozambique and Ghana and will face leaders Cape Verde knowing only a victory will guarantee their passage into the knockout stages.
That would tee up a last-16 tie in San-Pedro on January 28, while they could also potentially qualify as one of the best third-placed teams.
Salah will therefore only feature again at the competition if Egypt make it to a quarter-final on February 2 or 3.