Afcon 2019 players: Mo Salah – The Rise Of Series

The "Afcon Rise of" series is a collaborative initiative between Goal and 3 Kilo featuring emerging writers. 3 Kilo is a development agency that creates opportunities and projects for skills development for young people in South Africa.

After another successful season with Liverpool in the English Premier League, which saw him finish top scorer and named in the team year, Mohamed Salah will be eager to leave when Egypt gets will be heard by Zimbabwe at the opening match of the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) at the Cairo International Stadium, just 4.1 km from where it made its Professional debut for Al Mokawloon Al Arab in 2010.

Egypt, Group A's favorite to head to Afcon, will also face Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

Salah's journey to become one of Africa's greats did not begin as a conventional superstar.

In 2012, during the Egyptian revolution, a disaster occurred when the death of 74 spectators in the Port Said stadium suspended the national championship.

With all competition club games suspended, the only opportunity to stand at the door of the store is due to a friendly match organized by FC Basel against the Egyptian national team. under 23 in March 2012.

After conceding two goals, the Swiss club only offered him a four-year contract.

The Egyptians knew that Salah was a special talent considering that he had spent two seasons in the Egyptian Premier League before his transfer to Europe. The transfer of Salah was an irregular event, given the financial weight of the Egyptian league and its domination of African football.

As one could expect, his arrival at the club Basel German-speaking Switzerland was not short of complications for the Arabic-speaking Salah.

"It was very difficult, that's what I can say, it's very difficult to change clubs on another continent, especially at such a young age," said Salah. LiverpoolThe official website of.

"I grew up in Egypt, I knew everything in Egypt … but I did not know anything in Switzerland I did not understand any language because I did not speak English or Swiss-German I did not know where to go … pick up my food or anything.

"I went there and I lived alone, it was a difficult time because I did not know what to do."

His desire to succeed and be different from other Egyptian players would not let him give up his aspirations.

In his quest to become "different," he started English clbades to help him communicate better.

"I was there alone, but I thought all the time to improve and try to differentiate myself from all other players, or other Egyptian players," he added.

"That's what has always been in my head and, as I said, that's why I was able to change my mind very quickly.

"I started English clbades and I had clbades to help me communicate."

As soon as communication improved, she also started appearing in the field, as Salah had made a strong impression in Europe after just two seasons in Basel. Premier League giants Chelsea caught up with them after their excellent Champions League performance – 5 goals in 10 games – were enough to convince the London club of Salah's potential.

In Chelsea, Jose Mourinho had convinced the board of directors to buy Salah – who had scored in Basel's 1-0 win over the London club in the Champions League in November 2013.

He added to the list of Africans on Samuel Eto's side, Demba Ba and John Obi Mikel. The general feeling in North Africa was that the "Egyptian Messi" Salah was going to set the Premier League on fire.

But this did not mean that Mourinho's known belief and confidence in older, more experienced and older players was once again the case. Salah was limited to 10 appearances in his first season with the Blues. The arrivals of Cesc Fabregas and Jean Cuadradro the following season were a sign that Salah had to go elsewhere to win playing time in Europe.

Subsequently, the Egyptian off-the-road was sent to Fiorentina and Roma respectively in successive loan.

Roma made his stay a permanent one after impressing – 14 goals in 32 appearances – while he was on loan. After, another stellar season was produced at Giallorossi 15 goals in 29 appearances and as Player of the Season and Top Scorer. Thus, a return to the English Premier League has occurred, which has led Rome to accept a record amount of £ 50 million in club transfers (when additional goals have been achieved), returning the player to the Reds mid-2017 and the rest, say, that's the story.

The 27-year-old recently retained his title of African Footballer of the Year. It is no secret that the aspirations of the Pharaohs regarding Afcon 2019 are directly related to the individual performances of their talisman.

Egyptian coach, Javier Aguirre, ruled out Salah from his training camp in March, commenting: "I wanted to watch other players who could be part of the national team at the Cup of Africa of Nations. "

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He will be confident that Salah, the top scorer (4 goals) in the qualifying rounds, will be well rested and ready to go at the tournament kickoff.

Aguirre added: "I feel the importance of the African Cup for the Egyptians and I hope to prepare the team to win the title."

The winner of the UEFA Champions League will have the eyes and dreams of the nation on his shoulders. As they enter the final phase of their preparations, the Egyptian number 10 will be excited about the prospect of helping his country win its eighth title Afcon.