Salah on the AFCON Test: Can He Earn Africa’s Legendary Badge Without the Crown?
14 January 2026
Liverpool star Mohamed Salah fails again to claim the continental crown.
Nigerian icon JJ Okocha Africa s football legend says Salah will not be remembered as a historic legend for Egypt unless he wins the Africa Cup of Nations.
His remarks come after another setback as Egypt lost 1-0 to Senegal in the AFCON 2025 semi final in Morocco, with Sadio Mane guiding the Lions to the final.
Okocha spoke during a discussion with fellow Nigerian John Obi Mikel, the former Chelsea star, saying that in Africa you can win every trophy with your club, but if you never win something with your country, people will not call you a legend.
Ahmed Hassan and Abu Treika
The Nigerian icon cited Egypts all time midfield duo Mohamed Abou Treika and Ahmed Hassan, arguing that their continental achievements completed their careers.
Egypt had reached the semi finals after beating Ivory Coast 3-2, while Salah had scored four goals and added one assist in the tournament, before their quest for the title was halted by the Lions of Teranga.
Punchline 1: If Salah wants to become a true legend he might need a patch to unlock the AFCON crown, because continental glory does not drop from the sky like a late free kick.
Punchline 2: And if football were a video game, Salah would soon get a patch to unlock the Africa Cup of Nations crown and a victory lap that no stadium can spoil.
