World Cup Qualifiers: Salah vows revenge against Senegal as Mane console him

Egypt and Liverpool forward Mohamed Salah made a rallying speech to his Egypt teammates after their AFCON final defeat to Senegal, urging them to 'take revenge' in March.

The Pharaohs lost on penalties in Sunday's showpiece in Yaounde after the two teams drew 0-0 over 120 minutes.

In the dressing room after the match, Egypt captain Salah addressed his tired and forlorn teammates.

'We played four matches all 120 minutes in about 12 days,' he said. 'But it's in the past now, we have the games against them next month and InshAllah we will take revenge on them.'

Egypt will take on Senegal over two legs in the World Cup African playoffs at the end of next month.

Both countries finished top of their groups in the second round of qualifying and have now been drawn against each other to battle for a place at the Qatar tournament later this year.

The first leg will take place in Cairo on 23 March before the second leg in Dakar on 29 March.

While Senegal's victory in the AFCON final will certainly give them confidence ahead of the fixtures, it will also give Egypt extra motivation.

'It's well known that we, Egypt, do not just take a fall,' Egypt goalkeeper Gabaski told Goal. 'When we fall, we get up, even though the fact we've lost today makes us feel like we're in a difficult and delicate situation.

'We have other challenges ahead of us next month, with the same teams involved, and if it's God's will, we will continue and pursue our objectives.

'We have several more matches coming up in the coming months, and we have to win.'

Sadio Mane on the other hand console his club colleague Salah moments after scoring the decisive penalty in the AFCON final between Senegal and Egypt

Sadio Mane told his Liverpool teammate Mohamed Salah that defeat in the Africa Cup of Nations final doesn’t take anything away from his standing in the game.

Shortly after his crowning moment, he made sure to console Salah, who was unable to hide his anguish, openly crying on the pitch.

The 29-year-old opened up on the words he said to his teammate, assuring him he will have many chances to lift trophies in the future.

 “I told him that he remains a very great player and it’s a pleasure to play for the same club,” Mane said to beIN SPORTS .

“I have so much respect for him and he gave everything for his country.

 “Unfortunately, he didn’t win, but that doesn’t mean it’s over for him.

“I also told him that he still has many things to win, including the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations. They have a young team so maybe they will win it one day.”

Mane admitted that it was the support of the rest of the Senegal side that helped him bounce back from the crushing disappointment of the early missed penalty.

 “When I missed the first penalty, it was a big blow for me,” he added. “‘But my team-mates came to me and said, ‘Sadio, we lose together and we win together. We know you. You have done too much for us – keep on going’.

“That made me stronger and I think it made the difference when I got the second one.

“All the boys came to me and said, ‘Sadio, we trust you’,, and that gave me more motivation.

“The trophy belongs to the whole Senegal team – everyone deserves it.”