Liverpool's Mohamed Salah believes Egypt are on track for an eighth Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) title after defeating Ivory Coast.
An early strike from Omar Marmoush put the Pharaohs a goal ahead after four minutes. Ramy Rabia doubled their advantage after the half-hour mark.
However, they suffered a setback eight minutes later as Egypt conceded from an inadvertent own goal by Ahmed Fatouh. The fullback put the goal in his own net amid a defensive scramble.
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Despite that, Egypt got off to a fiery start after the break and orchestrated a sublime move that was finished by none other than Mohamed Salah. The 33-year-old netted his side's third and his 11th goal in AFCON tournaments.
While Ivory Coast reduced the deficit late in the game, Egypt's resolute defending ensured they booked a spot in the semi-finals against Sadio Mane's Senegal.
“We try and we fight because we love our country, and we give 100% of our effort for it," Salah said in the press conference after the game.
"We will continue to give everything we have, just as we did against Ivory Coast. As you have seen, we will do the same against Senegal and give everything we have on the pitch.
“Everyone here believes in the importance of giving their best and putting in 100% effort, all to make the Egyptian people happy.”
“It is very important to me to see Egyptians proud of what I have done in football. The secret behind the victory is that the players gave everything they had against an opponent with top-level players.
"I always tell my teammates in the national team that I am proud to play alongside them. I lived through the golden generation that achieved great successes for Egyptian football, but I am even happier playing with this generation because they have suffered in the era of social media.
"Everyone wants to achieve something for their country. Everyone is happy and wants to win for Egypt. I hope we have good fortune in the next match," he added.
With this tournament potentially being Salah's final AFCON participation, he expressed his delight with the camp and expects to sign off his international football career on a high.
“I think this is the best training camp of my career," he continued. "Everyone is happy and in good spirits. I believe there is no one in Egypt who wants to win AFCON more than I do.
"I have won everything except this title. Putting pressure on the players will not help; I have been carrying pressure for a long time, so there is no problem if I carry even more during these weeks."
