Arsenal forward, Nicolas Pepe, has stated on Instagram that he is ‘immensely disappointed’ after Egypt knocked Ivory Coast out of the Africa Cup of Nations thanks to Liverpool’s Mo Salah scoring the winning penalty.
The Arsenal and Liverpool duo started the Round of 16 showdown on Wednesday, with the game finishing goalless after full-time and then they couldn’t be separated after 120 minutes.
Pepe was the first player to step up to take a spot-kick and he delivered the goods for his side, but a miss from Manchester United’s, Eric Baily, opened the door for Egypt.
Salah was the one who stepped up to take the fifth and decisive penalty and the Egyptian king produced the goods under such immense pressure.
Whilst it was utter joy for the Liverpool flyer and his country, it was heartbreak for Pepe and his Ivorian teammates.
After the game, this is what Pepe posted on his Instagram to his supporters after his country were knocked out of the Africa Cup of Nations.
“Immensely disappointed in tonight’s result,” said Pepe. “Thank you Ivorians for your unfailing support.
“We will be back bigger and stronger at home for Africa Cup of Nations 2023.”
Pepe will now return to Arsenal duty and, along with Thomas Partey, he returns to north London without a winners medal around his neck.
But Mohamed Elneny, who was on the other side of the pitch last night, is still on course to create history with his teammates.
Before the tournament started, Egypt were the favourites for the competition for obvious reasons and it would be some story if they are the ones to stand tall in Africa.
If that does happen, then the debates of whether Salah is the best player in the world would well and truly stop because he would have answered anyone who doubts those thoughts.
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