AFCON 2021 : Ajax legend says Super Eagles have a chance to beat Egypt if Salah has a bad day

Ajax Amsterdam legend Finidi George has admitted that the Super Eagles have a chance to beat Egypt when both teams face off in their Africa Cup of Nations opener on January 11 if Mohamed Salah has a bad day at the office.

The 1994 Africa Cup of Nations winner thinks Salah could pose a threat to Nigeria but underlined that there are other Egyptian players that the Super Eagles need to be wary of.

The 29-year-old is having a record season with Liverpool, scoring 23 goals and registering nine assists in 26 matches across all competitions.

Salah was the highest ranked African player in the 2021 Ballon d'Or, finishing seventh with 121 points, ahead of Manchester City's Algeria winger Riyad Mahrez who placed 20th with seven points.

Nigeria's preparations for the tournament in Cameroon have not been up to scratch and they would be sending a strong statement if they beat the competition's most successful team.

Asked to share his view on Nigeria coming out on top if they stop Salah, Finidi told Filgoal : "I don't think so. I think football you have eleven players, everybody has his own role.

"Definitely Salah is a key player for the team and even if you stop him there are other players that can do magic, that can do their best as well to make sure that they win.

"If you add Salah if he has a good day then he's going to be a problem, if he's not having a good day definitely you have a chance to win.

"I think Egypt have been there, they have won the Cup so many times so definitely they have a good team to face Nigeria. I hope Nigeria will have a good day."

Salah has faced Nigeria's senior team twice in his career, scoring once in an Africa Cup of Nations qualifier back in 2016.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel