Furious Mohamed Salah is repeatedly waved away by AFCON referee Bakary Papa Gassama during angry confrontation at the end of normal time in Egypt’s semi-final penalty shootout win over hosts Cameroon
- Egypt qualified for the AFCON final after beating Cameroon on penalties
- The Pharaohs however had boss Carlos Queiroz sent off deep in the second half
- Mohamed Salah then confronted Bakary Papa Gassama before extra time
- Egypt’s coaches also intervened but were also waved away by Gambian official
A furious Mohamed Salah was embroiled in a heated exchange with referee Bakary Papa Gassama after confronting him during Egypt’s Africa Cup of Nations semi-final victory against Cameroon.
The Pharaohs reached their first AFCON final since 2017 – when they won the competition – after beating the hosts 3-1 on penalties after 120 goalless minutes.
But the first 90 minutes of action saw Egypt boss Carlos Queiroz sent off late on in the second-half after taking an issue with Gassama’s decision once too often, meaning he will now miss the final.
Mohamed Salah was embroiled in a heated exchange with referee Bakary Papa Gassama
The Liverpool and Egypt star approached the Gambian official before the start of extra time
After a furious exchange with Gassama, Salah was repeatedly waved away by the official
The former Manchester United assistant was booked midway through the second period but he was then dismissed after he furiously gesticulated for Nouhou Tolo’s dismissal following his altercation with Ramadan Sobhi.
But that was not the end of the protesting from Egypt against the official, with Liverpool star Salah angrily confronting Gassama at the end of normal time and appearing to rant at the Gambian official before he is repeatedly waved away.
Some of Egypt’s coaches then intervene and also try to speak less vociferously to Gassama, who again waves for them to leave the field prior to the start of extra time.
It came after Egypt boss Carlos Queiroz was sent off deep into the second half of semi-final
Queiroz was angry with a challenge but overstepped the mark and was given his marching orders
But despite their anger before the additional 30 minutes, it was Egypt who would taste the sweetness of victory after winning the shootout at the Olembe Stadium.
Egypt goalkeeper Gabaski was the hero, saving penalties from Harold Moukoudi and James Lea Siliki, while former Tottenham man Clinton N’Jie missed the target to seal the Pharaohs’ ninth AFCON final.
Salah will have Liverpool bragging rights to play for in Sunday’s final at the same venue, with his side to face Sadio Mane’s Senegal in Yaounde.
The Lions of Teranga have never won the competition, while Egypt will be looking to extend their lead over Cameroon in terms of AFCON titles to three as they aim for an unprecedented eighth.
But Egypt sealed their place in the AFCON final after beating hosts Cameroon on penalties