This archive report was first published on 13 November 2019.
Kenya's Harambee Stars have received a significant boost ahead of their 2021 Africa Cup of Nations qualification match against Egypt on Thursday in Alexandria.
Egypt's danger man Mohamed Salah has been ruled out of the match due to an ankle injury he sustained while playing for Liverpool in an English Premier League match against Leicester two weeks ago.
Despite appearing and scoring in Liverpool's 3-1 win against Manchester City over the weekend, Salah was substituted late on as he appeared to be struggling with the injury.
Salah travelled to Cairo on the same flight with Harambee Stars captain Victor Wanyama but was declared unfit by Egypt's national team medical staff.
He will also miss Egypt's next qualifier away to Comoros on Monday.
Salah's absence is a significant blow to Egypt, who will also be without Pyramids striker Abdulla El Said after his club refused to release him on time for the game.
However, Aston Villa striker Mahmoud Trezeguet is available for selection for the seven-time African champions.
Salah is arguably the best striker in Africa at the moment, having scored 23 goals in the English Premier League last season alongside his club teammates Sadio Mane and Pierre Emerick Aubameyang.
He was also instrumental in Liverpool's Uefa Champions League win and their second-place finish in the league behind Manchester City.
