AFCON 2021: I’d have missed penalty and died – Elneny explains why he declined role

Arsenal midfielder, Mohamed Elneny has explained that he would have died had it been he took one of Egypt’s penalties and missed it during their shootout against Senegal at the Africa Cup of Nations.

The 29-year-old was among Egypt’s squad to get to the final of the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations in Cameroon but were beaten by Senegal on penalties after goalless 120 minutes of football.

While Egypt were chasing their eight continental title, Senegal achieved their dream of winning their first AFCON title in history.

The Arsenal midfielder, who played in all five games for Egypt, explained why he did not take penalties in an interview with Ahmed Hossam Mido.

“While shooting, I was not standing with my colleagues, I was standing behind, I felt like I would get a heart attack at that time.

“I shot penalties very well, but I cannot accept the feeling of causing a loss to my national team, I think if I missed a penalty at that time, I would die.

“I felt that I could miss the penalty, and then dream of millions destroyed. I shot penalties twice with Arsenal, and I missed them.

“I felt like I would die! Just imagine that it happened with the national team? Without any exaggeration, I would die!” He declared.