For all his club glory at Liverpool, Mohamed Salah still lacks an Africa Cup of Nations title with Egypt. He's come painfully close, losing finals in both 2017 and 2021, where a penalty shootout defeat meant he never even took his crucial kick. Injuries have also hampered his campaigns, making this upcoming tournament a major focus for the 33-year-old captain of the continent's most successful national side.
He's in famous company. Didier Drogba, a legend for the Ivory Coast, missed key penalties in two separate final losses. Iconic striker George Weah, despite a Ballon d'Or win, never advanced past the group stage with Liberia. Nigeria's Nwankwo Kanu experienced final heartbreak in 2000, and Ghana's Michael Essien saw his prime years marred by injuries during the Black Stars' long title drought. Their careers highlight how the continental crown has eluded even the greatest African talents.
He's in famous company. Didier Drogba, a legend for the Ivory Coast, missed key penalties in two separate final losses. Iconic striker George Weah, despite a Ballon d'Or win, never advanced past the group stage with Liberia. Nigeria's Nwankwo Kanu experienced final heartbreak in 2000, and Ghana's Michael Essien saw his prime years marred by injuries during the Black Stars' long title drought. Their careers highlight how the continental crown has eluded even the greatest African talents.
