Salah comes face-to-face with AFCON star of the tournament for place in final

Mohamed Salah is undoubtedly the biggest name of the Africa Cup of Nations, a world-class talent lighting up the tournament.

But if he takes top billing in the semi-final against Cameroon, then it is a lesser known light standing in his way who has been the star of the competition so far.

Salah has scored two crucial goals, and a valuable assist for his country, the latter putting Egypt into the semi-final showdown with the hosts.

But he has been outgunned by the Indomitable Lions' captain Vincent Aboubakar, who has scored six goals so far to make him AFCON top scorer, and his nation the favourites for the title.

If most of the rest of the world haven't heard of the striker who plies his trade with Saudi club Al Nassr - alongside former Everton defender Ramiro Funes Mori - then Egypt certainly have.

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He scored the goal that defeated them in the final of this competition in 2017, breaking the hearts of Salah and co with a winner two minutes from time.

And he is not finished. After a spell in Portugal with Porto, he still wants to play for a top club, and according to his Cameroon coach Toni Conceicao, his popularity as the country's most feted player since Roger Milla and Samuel Eto'o could still get him there.

"He has been one of the best players at the tournament. I think big European clubs will come in for him now, and he deserves it," the Portuguese coach said.

"It is not just about his goals, we have got here to the semi final through a team effort, but of course he has been very important in giving us that danger in the penalty area.

"Youngsters look at him and say to themselves that anything is possible, because of what he has done. He is a role model for all the young players in the country, and for the team."

Salah stands in his way. Without him, Egypt would be home already, his performance in the quarter final against Morocco the difference between the two teams, as a goal and an assist inspired them to come from a goal down.

While he hasn't scored as freely as Aboubakar, his danger is apparent to the host nation, with Conceicao almost laughing when asked the question. "Of course we have to stop him - but we do that as a team, we try to ensure he doesn't get the ball."

It is a mouthwatering showdown, where the Jewel of the Nile faces the star of the tournament for a place in the final.