English newspapers quickly commented on the moment involving Egypt's captain Mohamed Salah, his Liverpool teammate Senegalese Sadio Mane, and goalkeeper Mohamed Abou-Gabal during the first half of the match between Egypt and Senegal in the African Cup of Nations final.
The most notable moment in the first half was when referee Victor Gomes awarded a penalty to Senegal, with Sadio Mane stepping up to take it. Mohamed Salah approached his teammate, goalkeeper Mohamed Abou-Gabal, and discussed the direction in which Mane would shoot the ball.
The British newspaper "Express" reported during the first half that Sadio Mane failed to score the penalty in the African Cup of Nations final after Mohamed Salah informed Abou-Gabal where Mane was likely to aim.
The paper explained that Mohamed Salah, famously known for his loyalty to Liverpool, set aside his club allegiance to help Egyptian goalkeeper Abou-Gabal save the penalty taken by Sadio Mane in the final match. Senegal was awarded the penalty just minutes after the match between the giants Egypt and Senegal had begun. It appeared to the media that Salah was telling the Egyptian keeper where Sadio Mane would shoot.
