Salah has declare fit for Russia


Mohamed Salah has been declared fit ahead of Egypt's crunch game against Russia on Tuesday and coach Hector Cuper is optimistic his star striker will play.
But Russia boss Stanislav Cherchesov believes the World Cup hosts have figured out a way to rein Salah in when the two sides meet in Saint Petersburg.
Salah has scored 44 goals in a sensational first season for Liverpool and is keen to make his debut after missing the Pharaohs' 1-0 opening game loss to Uruguay with a shoulder injury.
"Salah is fit," Cuper said on Monday. "We always carry out a last physical test before naming the line-up.
"Today we will have a test for him to see how he is. I hope he will be fit to play, I'm sure he will be able to play. He is a central piece in our team.”
Cherchesov, however, says Russia have a plan to thwart Salah, even if he is available.
"The level he will be playing at only he and his coach knows but we have a mission and we will accomplish the mission," Cherchesov said.
"I trust in my team, I believe in my players and I will give you a simple answer: we are ready to do this and we will do this."
The bold promise highlights a new swagger that had been missing from the host nation's team for much of the past year.
Russia's convincing win over the Saudis was preceded by a seven-match winless streak and a spate of injuries that wiped out almost the entire defensive line.
But the men in red are now on the cusp of making their first knockout stage of a World Cup in post-Soviet history.
The achievement would be a huge relief for both players and Russians who worried about being humiliated on the world's biggest sporting stage.
Standing in their way could be Salah, but his availability has been a headache for Egypt ever since he injured his shoulder during a tussle with Real Madrid's Sergio Ramos during the Champions League final last month.
Ramos was accused of deliberately hurting Salah and it has been suggested opponents could target him again, particularly if his shoulder is not fully healed.
"I saw only that Ramos was holding the cup," Cherchesov said. "He did not do this on purpose, this is a contact sport, and as I understand it nobody injures people from other teams on purpose.
"Salah will get better and bring happiness to fans of Egypt. Players like him only make tournaments better."
Russia's veteran goalkeeper Igor Akinfeev said he would rather focus on winning than any particular opposing player.
"Would I prefer to see Salah play or not? I do not even know how to respond," said Akinfeev. "I would prefer to see my team win."
Meanwhile, Russia's early success has seen the number of Russians who say they will follow football rise from 52 percent to 64 percent, according to one poll.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Container falls on Danfo bus at iyana iba

Image
Lagos State is really battling for its life in terms of trucks and containers in the state. Last week, it was reported that a 20ft container fell on some cars at Apapa where they cause serious damages to both the cars and the owners. Just this week, another container has fallen on a Danfo Bus at Iyana Iba. Though it was reported that no casualties as the bus was empty when the incident occurred. Men of the LASTMA were already on the ground to control traffic and to ensure a smooth flow for drivers. Even though there was a presidential order to get rid of these trucks off the road, the order has been effective save for some parts in Apapa and Tincan Port where they are yet to fully comply. These are images from the scene;
Read more

PDP and APC exchange word over saraki

Image
Senate President: no juicy offers We’ll leave APC, says Baraje The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) got yesterday a reply to its threat to boycott next year’s elections. You are being hunted by your past, All Progressives Congress (APC) National Chairman Adams Oshiomhole told the main opposition party. The PDP fired back, saying APC was jittery over coalition between PDP and 38 others. Senate President Bukola Saraki and House Speaker Yakubu Dogara and others are believed to be on their way to the PDP, but the APC is urging them to stay. Also yesterday, Reformed APC chief Kawu Baraje said the group had decided to leave APC. Oshiomhole said the PDP was being haunted by its past treatment of electoral contests as a do-or-die affair, adding that the APC will not be intimidated by any threat of the PDP or any other party as it was committed to the sustenance of democracy and the sanctity of one man, one vote. The APC Chairman, who spoke when he received the report of the O...
Read more

South Africa 1-0 Namibia: 1st Afcon goal gives South Africa victory at crucial moment

Image
The Bafana Bafana of South Africa secured a crucial victory over the Brave Warriors of Namibia in their group D clash in the ongoing Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Egypt. SuperSport  ✔ @SuperSportTV ZUNGU #BafanaBafana have broken the deadlock against Namibia at last as Bongani Zungu heads home the opener! #TotalAFCON2019 258 10:28 PM - Jun 28, 2019 78 people are talking about this Twitter Ads info and privacy Stuart Baxter’s men put themselves in a great position to make it to the knockout stages of the AFCON following a second-half strike from Bongani Zungi. The goal was South Africa’s first goal at the AFCON finals since Mandla Masongo’s goal against Ghana at the 2015 tournament. Bafana Bafana went into the game following a narrow defeat to Cote d’Iviore in their opening fixture. The game started out with a slow tempo with both sides employing a cautious approach to the game following their poor results from the first game. Sout...
Read more