Salah, Mane and Keita – LFC players involved as AFCON 2019 gets underway

Whilst Liverpool fans have been basking in the joy of being European Champions, the past 20 days (for three of our reds) have seen the steady build up to the African Cup of Nations.

It is the first time the African tournament has been held in the middle of the European summer - and it is being held in Egypt at relatively late notice after original host Cameroon had both preparation and security issues.

All three of Liverpool's players involved - Salah (Egypt), Mane (Senegal) and Keita (Guinea) are fit for the tournament.

Salah - Egypt

Mo Salah's Egypt get the tournament underway tonight against Zimbabwe.  And the Pharoah's will have something to prove - they were defeated by Cameroon in the 2017 final.

Egypt have hosted the tournament four times in the past, winning three of those.  In total Egypt have been African Champions a total of 7 times.

The Liverpool frontman is looking to add to his record of 39 goals from 63 internationals.

Group A

Egypt v Zimbabwe – June 21, 9pm UK
Egypt v DR Congo – June 26, 9pm UK
Uganda v Egypt – June 30, 8pm UK

Mane - Senegal

Sadio Mane and Senegal are another side with a good chance of going far in the tournament.  They are second favourites behind the hosts.

Mane captains the side who are unbeaten in their last 7 games.  He not only arrived with his fellow Senegalese player as a European Champion but also the Premier League joint Golden Boot winnner.

Group C

Senegal v Tanzania – June 23, 6pm UK – 30 June
Senegal v Algeria – June 27, 6pm UK – 30 June
Kenya v Senegal – July 1, 8pm UK - 30 June

Keita - Guinea

And finally Naby Keita and Guinea.  He missed the last month of the season after his injury sustained in the semi-final 1st leg v Barcelona at the Nou Camp.   He hasn't yet played in any of the international warm ups but is expected to be involved, certainly as the tournament progresses.

Guinea were not involved in the 2017 tournament, but the last time they qualified for the finals in 2015 he was a key member of the squad.  Guinea are not strongly tipped for the tournament, Keita is their major overseas star.

Group B

Guinea v Madagascar – June 22, 9pm UK
Nigeria v Guinea – June 26, 3.30pm UK
Burundi v Guinea – June 30, 3.30pm UK

If you are watching in the UK the games will be shown on the Eurosport channels.

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