Super Eagles star reveals what it takes to stop Mo Salah – “I must be 100% ready”

Super Eagles centre-back Chibuike Nwaiwu knows that defending Mohamed Salah is not a normal assignment, Soccernet.ng reports.

The Trabzonspor defender has now seen the Egyptian star up close, and he has sent a warning to other defenders in the Turkish Super Lig that one lapse can be enough.

Nwaiwu spoke after Trabzonspor beat Istanbul Başakşehir 2-1 at Papara Park on Sunday. Salah scored both goals, opening the match in the eighth minute before restoring Trabzonspor's lead three minutes after half-time. The 34-year-old, who has received a Turkish warning himself, also had two late efforts ruled out, one for a foul and another for offside.

That performance gave context to Nwaiwu's words.

What Super Eagles' Nwaiwu said about Salah

“Every player who plays against Salah needs to be very prepared,” Nwaiwu said as per Haber61.

“As a defender, I would like to play against Salah. If I'm going to play against him, I need to be 100% ready and completely focused. Because Salah is not a player you can easily take out of the game. He has very high quality.”

Salah's threat is not limited to finishing chances. The Liverpool legend can punish defenders with movement, quick changes of direction and his ability to attack space before a back line can reset.

Trabzonspor's opening weeks have already provided another warning. Salah made his league debut as a 58th-minute substitute in a 1-1 draw at Kasımpaşa. He then started against Ferencváros in the Europa League play-off first leg and created an early threat when he ran onto André Onana's long pass in the eighth minute. His shot from a tight angle was saved by Dénes Dibusz.

Trabzonspor's next European test is the Europa League play-off second leg against Ferencváros on Thursday, with the Turkish side trailing 1-0 from the first match.