Salah: Egypt's hope and star

Mohammed Salah has become synonymous with the Egypt National team since his entrance into the international scene. The 25 year old Liverpool player is the main star of his country's men football. After bagging his first cap on the 3rd of September 2011, the pharaoh has gone on to make 52 appearances scoring 32 times.

The Egypt senior men's national team have recorded plenty success in the African stage, having lifted the Cup of Nations trophy 7 times, being the all time record holders. Considering their continental pedigree, it is bewildering that qualification for international football has been hard to come by. The pharaohs have failed to qualify for the world cup since 1990. Haven appeared one other time in 1934. Despite boasting players like Mohammed Aboutrika, Ahmed Hassan, Zidan, Hossam Ghaly and a host of other star players in that period. Despite the armoury of exciting players Egypt possessed, qualification for the World tournament has been eluding them.

Since the retirement of Aboutrika, Salah has gone on to shoulder the responsibility of carrying his National team. Aiming to pull them to the world cup finale one day.
Egypt was drawn in group E with Ghana, Uganda and Congo. Salah took Egypt to the World Cup by netting a brace against Congo. With the game still a 1 all draw at the 95th minute, it was Salah's penalty at stoppage time that gave them the win. He had earlier opened the scoring before Arnold Bouka's volley cancelled the goal.

The whole of Egypt, fans, players and media alike will all have their eyes on their shining light, Mohammed Salah. Living the dream of many, Salah will lead his country in Russia and will look to make the most out of it.

Whatever the outcome in Russia 2018 World Cup, the Pharaoh's will undoubtedly be satisfied that they've made the finale of the World Cup for the first time in 27 years and for the third time in their history. The main objective now should be to do it consistently, with or without Mohammed Salah.