Kwesi Appiah cautions Egypt about Salah dependency

Ghana coach James Kwesi Appiah has warned Egypt about their over-reliance on talisman Mohamed Salah as the Pharaohs prepare to make a return to the World Cup.

The North Africans are set to play at the global showpiece for the first time since 1990, largely thanks to the newly-named BBC African Footballer of the Year, who hugely contributed to the team’s qualification.

The Liverpool attacker netted five times to finish top goal scorer of the African zone third round qualifiers, but he is even more remembered for converting a last-gasp penalty on the final match-day which secured their ticket to Russia 2018.

“We played Egypt but as I said, all the time all their attacking machinery is dependent on one player," Appiah, whose Ghana side bowed at the command of the mighty Pharaohs in Group E, told Kwese Free Sports. “This is not the best because once he is closed down, then this becomes a problem.

“If they can work on some stuff and get two or three players that are playing at the highest level, then automatically team’s won’t plan only against Salah but for others as well."

At next year's World Cup, Egypt have been drawn against hosts Russia, Saudi Arabia and Uruguay in Group A.

The Pharaohs will open their campaign against La Celeste, who famously denied Ghana a semi-final place at the 2010 edition in South Africa, on June 15.

Hector Cuper's men then face the hosts on June 19 before rounding up their group activities against the Green Falcons six days later.