Mohamed Salah Almost Cried After Losing In Africa Cup Of Nations But He Can Revenge Sane In World Cup Play-offs

JAKARTA - Egypt's Mohamed Salah is hoping to avenge defeat in the Africa Cup of Nations final to Senegal when the two nations meet again in next month's two-legged World Cup play-off that will determine whether or not the two nations qualify for Qatar 2022.

Pharaoh's team failed to win their eighth continental crown as they lost 2-4 on penalties in the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations final in Yaounde, Cameroon, Sunday night local time, after 120 minutes remaining 0-0.

Mohamed Abdelmonem and Mohanad Lasheen both failed to convert their penalties which left Salah without a chance to shoot before Sadio Mane converted Senegal's winner that gave the country its first AFCON title.

"From here we will come back. Today we couldn't win but next time we will be even better," said Egypt goalkeeper Mohamed Abou Gabal, who was named man of the match after saving Mane's penalty in the seventh minute of the first half, quoted by Antara.

The 33-year-old player who is familiarly called Gabaski and whose jersey number also bears this name, also parried Bouna Sarr's shot in the penalty shootout but his efforts were ultimately in vain.

Salah almost burst into tears even before Mane converted a penalty as he was forced to be on the losing side of that final. For him, it was the second time in three editions after Egypt was also beaten by Cameroon in 2017.

"Salah is a world-class player and his behavior is the same as the others," said Egypt assistant coach Diaa al-Sayed. Coach Carlos Queiroz is suspended from leading this final.

"He was determined to win. He's played for a long time and won big competitions in Europe but he really wants to win this trophy for his country."

"With him, we want to qualify for the World Cup. He is like the captain of any team. He is disappointed that he did not achieve his goals," he continued as quoted by AFP.

The two teams will meet again in the two-legged play-off of the Africa World Cup qualifiers next month. Egypt will play at home in the first leg as they try to secure a place in Qatar later this year.

Both teams were eliminated at the last World Cup finals in Russia in 2018, since the group stage.