Egypt players will each pocket $85,000 from President Abdel Fattah al-si for their historic World Cup qualification on Sunday night.
President Fattah announced the reward Monday when he met coach Hector Cuper and the players in Cairo.
The Pharaohs edged Congo 2-1 to qualify for the global event for the first time in 28-years.
Liverpool’s diminutive forward Mohamed Salah was the hero netting twice including a stoppage time penalty to secure the qualification.
Fattah singled him out for praise calling him “brave” for taking the decisive penalty.
“I’m proud of all the players but especially of Mo Salah who was brave enough to take the crucial penalty,” the president said.
He added: “Also thank you to Coach Cuper who has made our dreams come true.”
Cuper said reaching Russia 2018 was the most important task regardless of how they played.
“Maybe we don’t play beautiful football but we are at the World Cup and that’s the most important thing,” he said.
Salah scored five goals and assisted two in the campaign. He is already looking forward to the Russia showdown.
“We are determined to make the country and continent proud in Russia,”
“I am very happy to lead Egypt to a World Cup after 28 years and make a 100 million proud of us,” Salah said.
