In the world of football, timing is everything—both on the pitch and on social media. Egypt’s talisman Mohamed Salah learned this the hard way on Tuesday after his bold claim about the “unpredictability” of the 2026 AFCON backfired in spectacular fashion, courtesy of the Super Eagles of Nigeria.
The Quote That Sparked a Fire
Following Egypt’s grueling Round of 16 victory over Benin—a match that required extra time to settle—Salah told reporters that the days of “easy” African football were over.
“There are no easy games in AFCON. No team will win 4 or 5 nil in this tournament,” the Liverpool star remarked.
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It was a statement of respect for the growth of African football, but to Nigerian fans, it sounded like a challenge.
Enter the Super Eagles: Nigeria 4-0 Mozambique
Just hours after Salah’s interview went viral, Nigeria took the field against Mozambique. While the Pharaohs had struggled to a 3-1 extra-time finish, the Super Eagles delivered a clinical, ruthless performance. With a brace from Victor Osimhen and goals from Ademola Lookman and Akor Adams, Nigeria dismantled the Mambas 4-0.
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The result didn’t just book Nigeria’s spot in the quarterfinals; it effectively “ratioed” Mohamed Salah on a global scale.
”Speak for Yourself, Pharaoh”: The Social Media Storm
Nigerian X (formerly Twitter) is famous for its “vawulence” (humorous digital aggression), and Salah was the target of the day. Within minutes of the final whistle, the hashtag #SuperEagles was trending alongside memes of Salah’s interview.
”Nigeria said, ‘Hold my beer,'” quipped one fan, while others urged the Egyptian captain to “come outside” and acknowledge the scoreline.
Many pointed out the difference in energy: while Egypt “labored” through 120 minutes, Nigeria finished the job in 90.
Why This Matters for the Trophy
Beyond the banter, this result cements Nigeria as the most prolific team in the tournament so far. With 11 goals in four matches, the Super Eagles are playing with a swagger that has many believing this is finally the year they bring the trophy home.
As both Egypt and Nigeria advance to the quarterfinals, the stage is set for a potential showdown that would be as much about footballing pride as it is about social media bragging rights.
