It is Johannesburg in 2011 and Egypt’s Under 20 side has just knocked the hosts out of the African Youth Championships.

The tournament is also serving as a qualifier for the Under 20 World Cup later that year so the young Egyptians are in the mood to celebrate. All except one. Mohamed Salah.

“After the game he went to his room, closed the door and cried,” recalls Diaa El Sayed, Egypt’s Under 20 coach at that time.

“He did not want to come for dinner. I asked him why? He said he missed many chances.

“It had been a very important game against South Africa. We knew if we won or drew we would go to the World Cup in Colombia. We scored first but Salah miss 15 chances in the first half and 15 chances in the second half. But we still won.

“The next day we went on the training field. It was just me and him with one ball.

“I spent an hour with him directing the ball from many positions so he could practice shooting and scoring. The rest of the team was stood encouraging him.

“Now you will see how good he is front of goal.”