Ex-Nigerian goalkeeper, Peterside Idah, has revealed why Mohamed Salah of Egypt couldn’t perform against Senegal in last night’s African Cup Of Nations’ final.
The media officer said the Pharaoh’s captain could not perform due to the fact that the opposition team were just kicking him left, right and centre.
The 48-year-old added that the defenders of the Lions of Teranga toned down the Liverpool forward by kicking him from every angle during the final clash.
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Salah was hushed during the duel as Senegal overpowered Carlos Queiroz’s team to lift their first AFCON trophy.
Aliou Cissé’s men were led to defeat Egypt 4-2 in a penalty shootout after Sadio Mane who missed a penalty kick in the early minutes of the game stepped up to take the last penalty for his side.
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Idah told Channels Television’s ‘Sunrise Daily’ programme: “This is Africa; it is different here, this is a jungle, they kicked him left, right and centre. In Europe, the referees will protect you (but) here nobody protects you.”
“When you are in Europe, they are very structured…but when you come to Africa, it is different, we don’t play to the rules, so he [Salah] just could not perform.”
He added: “I expected Senegal to win. Senegal has been a better team. I would have felt so bad if Egypt had won it because we (Eagles) had beaten Egypt in the first game. So, I was praying for Egypt not to win it. Senegal was the better side.”
