Mohamed Salah insists the shock exit of Nigeria in the last-16 of the African Cup of Nations shows how high the standard is in this year’s competition.
The Super Eagles finished the group stage with maximum points from their three games, and were amongst the favourites to win the tournament, however they slipped to a 1-0 defeat to Tunisia in the knockout round.
Liverpool star Salah was the hero for Egypt in their quarter-final against Morocco on Sunday, the 29-year-old scored the equaliser to cancel out Sofiane Boufal’s first half penalty.
He also provided the assist for Trezeguet’s winner during extra time as the Pharaohs booked their place in the last four with a 2-1 win.
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Egypt will face Cameroon for a place in Sunday’s final and Salah insists reaching the latter stages of the competition was far from easy.
"Nigeria had been the best team in the group stage and then they lost," he told GOAL .
"So you never know with any game. It's tough for everyone.
"Algeria lost in the group stage, having won it last time, and they had a great team.
"Senegal qualified with one goal," he added.
"I'm not saying something bad, just that the tournament is tough."
Senegal will face Burkina Faso in the other semi-final, meaning Salah and Sadio Mane could potentially meet in Sunday’s showpiece.
Both players are expected to be available for the Reds' home clash with Leicester on 10 February.
