When you ask “have Salah won AFCON”, you’re touching on one of the most poignant “What’s missing?” questions in the career of Mohamed Salah. For a global superstar who has conquered Europe, broken records, and won countless trophies, the one gap remains the Africa Cup of Nations. QuraGoal invites you to dive into this intriguing topic: where Salah stands in Egypt’s continental history, how close he’s come, and whether that long-awaited AFCON title might still be within reach.
Salah’s international legacy and Egypt’s AFCON pedigree
Before looking at Salah himself, context matters: Egypt is the most successful nation in AFCON history. The Pharaohs have lifted the trophy seven times (including 1957, 1959, 1986, 1998, 2006, 2008, 2010) — a continental record. Egypt’s dominance peaked in the late 2000s when they won three straight tournaments, none of those seven titles belongs to the Salah era; Egypt’s last AFCON triumph was in 2010, before Salah had become a senior international.
Mohamed Salah made his senior debut for Egypt in 2011, just after that 2010 victory. Since then, Egypt has been to multiple finals — but always fallen short. In short: Salah has never won the AFCON.
Salah’s AFCON experience: finals, heartbreaks, and near misses
Finals lost: 2017 and 2021
Two finals stand out in Salah’s continental journey:
- AFCON 2017: Egypt reached the final in Gabon, facing Cameroon. Egypt lost 1–2 in extra time, missing a golden chance. That tournament also extended Egypt’s long undefeated streak in AFCON final-stage matches — a run dating back to 2010.
- AFCON 2021 (played in early 2022): Egypt faced Senegal in a tense final. After a 0–0 draw in regular and extra time, the match went to penalties. Salah, Egypt’s talisman, watched as Senegal prevailed 4–2 in the shootout.
These two near-misses represent the closest Salah has come to continental glory.
Performance and contributions
Over his AFCON career, Salah has delivered meaningful performances:
- He has scored in key knockout matches (for example, the 2021 semifinal).
- He has captained Egypt in many matches.
- His presence, leadership, and goal threat have often been pivotal in pushing Egypt deep in the tournament.
But the ultimate prize continues to elude him.
Why Salah hasn’t claimed AFCON — and the obstacles
Timing and generational shift
Salah emerged after Egypt’s last title run, so the golden era of Egyptian dominance had already ended. The national team has gone through transitions, rebuilding phases, and stiff competition.
Penalty curse and fine margins
In high-stakes knockout matches, margins are razor-thin. The 2021 final saw penalties decide the outcome. In tournaments, even a slight lapse or misfortune can undo a team’s path to lift the trophy.
Pressure, expectations, and team depth
As the face of Egypt’s attack, Salah carries immense expectations. In tournaments, injuries, squad depth, tactics, and mental resilience all factor heavily. Even a superstar cannot ensure success if the support around him falters.
Competition getting stronger
African football has improved dramatically across many nations. Teams like Senegal, Ivory Coast, Nigeria, and others bring quality and balance. Winning AFCON today demands consistency across all matches, not just reliance on star power.
Could Salah win AFCON now — is it still realistic?
Yes — his quest is far. Several signs suggest that a title for Salah in AFCON remains possible:
- High expectations and backing
- Egypt’s coach and federation frequently express that it is time for Salah to finally claim the title. They see him as the natural leader to deliver continental glory.
- Motivation and personal ambition
- Salah has publicly said he wants this trophy, calling it the one major honor he hasn’t yet achieved with Egypt.
- Strong qualifying form and squad building
- Egypt continues to qualify strongly, with Salah contributing goals and leadership. If the surrounding squad is well-rounded and peaking at the right time, the synergy could push Egypt over the line.
- Experience in finals and knockouts
- Salah’s past heartbreaks offer lessons. The resilience and composure built from those trips to finals may serve him (and Egypt) well in future tournaments.
- Favorable tournament conditions
- Hosting momentum, favorable draws, avoiding injuries — sometimes these intangible elements align. If they do, Afghanistan victory is not out of reach.
Why the question “have Salah won AFCON” resonates
For many fans, this is more than a trivia matter — it’s the one blank spot in an otherwise luminous career. Salah has won league titles, European trophies, domestic cups, and international acclaim. But at the national level in his home continent, AFCON remains the final missing piece. That’s why the question is so compelling — it embodies a narrative of a footballing icon chasing an unfulfilled dream.
When people search “have Salah won AFCON,” they’re really searching: Is there a major trophy Salah has not won? The answer: yes — and the pursuit continues.
Conclusion
Yes, Salah has never won AFCON, despite coming agonizingly close in two finals. That fact is one of the most compelling storylines in his illustrious career. Yet his ambition remains alive, the support is growing, and the possibility lingers. QuraGoal will continue to track Salah’s AFCON journey, the Egyptian squad’s progress, and whether this might finally be the tournament where he breaks through.
If you’d like to read about Egypt’s chances in the next AFCON edition, Salah’s seasonal performance, or compare how many continental titles other African legends have won — just tell QuraGoal. Let’s follow this saga together.
