The four superstars fail to spark the African National Cup

The four top African players did not score in the African National Cup final, but starting Sunday’s play-offs will allow Sadio Mane and Mohamed Salah to at least give up on their home continent.

The Liverpool duo are part of a quartet that has qualified for the top three in the last four African Footballer of the Year awards, establishing itself as the best on the continent and the main attraction in the Cameroon final.

The other players are Arsenal striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, who was sent to London for health reasons, and Manchester City winger Riyad Mahrez, the captain of the Algerian owner, fell in a horrible fall.

Senegalese Mane and Salah from Egypt scored in the group stage as their country progressed, but their own form has been uncomfortable, disappointing the fans who have come to watch.

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Mane scored a penalty in stoppage time for the win in Zimbabwe at the end of the Group B opening match and played two more games but to no avail.

In fact, Senegal have had problems with COVID-19 and goalkeeper FIFA’s Edouard Mendy and captain Kalidou Koulibaly on Monday returned for the final match against Malawi.

But on Tuesday, in the last 16 against Cape Verde, Mane has a chance to meet expectations in a one-way match.

Salah despaired

Salah will have to increase his performance if Egypt have a chance against Douala Côte d’Ivoire on Wednesday.

The second-round mark match is a tough one for Egypt, as it has looked poor given Salah little influence.

The Egyptian made it clear last week that he was desperate to succeed in the National Cup.

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“I didn’t win a big tournament in my 10-year career in Egypt and I hope to do that this time,” he said.

Aubameyang’s Gabon is also playing in the last 16 against Burkina Faso on Sunday but without him. Arriving in Cameroon, he tested positive for COVID-19 and then showed signs of a heart attack before returning to Arsenal for further testing.

Mahrez went home with Algeria after finishing last in Group E, losing to Equatorial Guinea.

“We weren’t at the right level. I assume all responsibility. It’s part of football. We win, we lose. We gave it our all. There is nothing more we can do. Hopefully we will come back stronger, ”he said.