Mo Salah and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang definitely want what Sadio Mané has already achieved: a victory at the Africa Cup of Nations. The tournament in Morocco probably offers a last chance for the old stars.
One more Liverpool, then Mo Salah can finally join his beloved national team. When the Reds play their Premier League game against Brighton on Saturday, it will be Salah’s last game in England. Egypt’s star player, who recently fell out of favor in Liverpool and was no longer used, will then travel to the Egyptian team’s training camp. It is important to prepare for the Africa Cup of Nations, which will take place in Morocco from December 21st to January 19th.
For the 33-year-old Salah, the Cup in Morocco will probably be the last chance to become African champion. Salah was not there for Egypt’s last victory in 2010. He then reached the final twice in 2017 and 2022, but lost each time. In 2017, the “Pharaohs” lost 2-1 against Cameroon in Gabon despite a 1-0 half-time lead. Five years later in Cameroon, the final against Senegal was 0-0 after extra time, and Salah and Co. lost out in the penalty shootout.
Salah – with anger in his stomach to the Africa Cup of Nations
The Cup in Morocco is probably Salah’s last chance – age does not leave his favorite pharaoh unscathed. Already at the last finals in 2024 in Ivory Coast, when Egypt had to give up the round of 16 against DR Congo, Salah no longer looked like a difference player. Neither in the group phase nor in the decisive knockout game was he able to leave his mark on the Egyptian game. The most noticeable player for the Egyptians was Omar Marmoush, whose star subsequently rose in the Bundesliga and finally in the Premier League.
National team as balm – Mo Salah
After his difficult last days in Liverpool, it could well be that Salah wants to show off at the Africa Cup with double motivation. He will certainly want to prove to his critics at Liverpool FC that they rejected him too early. The Egyptians will play their opening match against outsiders Zimbabwe on December 22nd – before that they will play against Nigeria in a friendly on December 17th in Cairo. Salah will be there.
Aubameyang – third spring in Marseille
The title of African champion is still missing – Salah shares this fate with Gabon icon Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang. “Auba”, who is currently experiencing something like his “third spring” at Olympique Marseille and, despite his advanced age of now 36, is performing outstandingly in Ligue 1 and the Champions League, will, like Salah, try everything again in Morocco.
In the World Cup qualifying, the comparatively small football country of Gabon only narrowly failed in the play-offs to Nigeria, who were then eliminated by DR Congo. But at the Africa Cup the cards are being reshuffled. Aubameyang’s Gabon is in a preliminary group with Cameroon, Ivory Coast and Mozambique. Difficult caliber, but in addition to the two first-placed teams, the four best third-placed teams from the six groups of four also make it into the knockout games. At least that should be there.
Aubameyang – Gabon’s figurehead
“Auba’s” shoulders bore Gabon’s pressure
Aubameyang will be crucial. A lot of pressure on a player, but Aubameyang is used to it. Since he was called up to the national team for the first time in 2009, “Auba”, who once also played for Borussia Dortmund, has mostly delivered shows as a solo entertainer. Of necessity, because unlike larger nations, Gabon has not been able to produce another internationally noticeable star in all these years.
Aubameyang has always held his country’s flag high – despite many disputes with the association, threats of resignation and player strikes. “A lot has always been placed on his shoulders – but Auba has always taken responsibility for his national team colleagues and has been exemplary with his commitment to his country“, says coach Gernot Rohr, who coached the home Africa Cup with Gabon in 2012. As for Salah, it is also the case for Aubameyang: The Cup in Morocco is probably the last chance for the title.
Sané – will Senegal achieve their second triumph?
Sadio Mané no longer has this pressure. The 33-year-old achieved triumph with Senegal in 2022 when Salah’s Egypt were defeated on penalties after a goalless 120 minutes. It was left to team captain Sané to sink the decisive penalty.
He already has the title – Sadio Mané
“It’s the best day of my life, I think it’s the most important trophy of my life,” said Mané at the time, when he was still storming alongside Mo Salah for Jürgen Klopp’s Liverpool FC. He was already English champion, he had won the Champions League and the Club World Cup – but it was only with the African Cup in his hands that he felt his career was complete.
Africa Cup as the most important career title
The next steps are known: Mané moved to FC Bayern in the summer of 2022 and from there, after a rather unfortunate twelve months, moved on to al-Nassr FC in the Saudi Arabian Professional League next season. The figurehead of the Senegalese national team has since ended his career there.
But one can definitely assume that Mané will try everything again for the “Lions of Teranga”, as Senegal’s team is called. At the Africa Cup now in Morocco and then probably at the World Cup next year. Because Mané is still missing a trophy: he hasn’t been able to lift the World Cup trophy yet… .