Gharib leaves door open for Salah participation at the Olympics

CAIRO – 28 November 2019: Egypt U-23 national team manager, Shawki Gharib, announces that he would welcome Liverpool Egyptian winger and the nation’s biggest football star, Mohamed Salah, into his team at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics.

Gharib led the team to the Olympic Games after clinching 2019 U-23 Africa Cup of Nations title at home after defeating Ivory Coast 2-1 at the final.

“If salah wants to join the squad at the Olympics. I will add him to the team.” Gharib said on Thursday.

2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo will see the 12th appearance for the Egyptian football at the competition and the Pharaohs aim to secure a medal at the competition for the first time in the history.

Gharib added “In Rio 2016, Brazil added Neymar Junior to their squad to get the Gold medal. I will include my best players at the Olympics.”

Salah was one of the U-23 team’s players who participated in 2012 Olympic Games in London, where Egypt were eliminated from the quarter finals after 3-0 loss to Japan.