Egypt's early exit at the Africa Cup of Nations seems to have fallen heavily onto the shoulders of Mohamed Salah. The Liverpool forward had his longest stay in his home country since becoming a star in Europe, but the tournament hosts' last 16 defeat against South Africa has some fans pointing fingers. CGTN's Adel EL Mahrouky reports from Cairo.

At least 280,000 Egyptians have attended the Pharaohs' four matches in the African Cup of Nations. The popularity of one player by far precedes the rest, Egypt's two-times Premier League Golden Boot winner and UEFA Champions League winner, Mohamed Salah.

DALAL ABDALLAH EGYPT FAN "Salah makes everyone proud. All the kids are wearing his jersey. Parents want their kids to become like him. He's a role model. His manners, his commitment, of course his talent (makes) us all proud of him. We wish more players will be like Salah."

AMIRA AHMED EGYPT FAN "He's one of the best players in the world. He has reached something that no Egyptian player has reached, what he has reached, he makes us all proud, and of course being there, all the Egyptian team is good, but when Salah is there, he gives them more confidence. They feel they can do it because he's with them."

Mo's hairstyle and beard are becoming trendy in Egypt even among kids. This immense fan base has made advertisers rush to flood the market with Mo merchandise. On display in shopping malls, brands would compete to put his Liverpool jersey, or put his pictures on t-shirts. But the Mo Egyptians saw on Cairo Stadium's pitch was much different than Liverpool's star.

MOHAMED MOSTAFA YALLAKORA NEWSPAPER SPORTS EDITOR "There is no doubt there is a big gap between the Pharaohs' Salah and Liverpool's, but there is also a bigger difference between the rest of Liverpool's team and the Egyptian national team, that's why Salah appeared worse. Still he scored 40 goals with the national team so far, and is about to break the Egyptian record, so we can't just blame him on a whole team performance. Take Salah out and you've taken about 60% of the Egypt's strength."

Salah has only scored twice in Egypt's short run in the AFCON. Like his teammates, they've failed to please football fans. In a blink of an eye, the star everyone loved, has become the center of a major criticism campaign.

ADEL EL MAHROUKY CAIRO "That anti-Salah campaign is not expected to last. Soon he'll be back to Europe -- and once Mo gets back on track and starts scoring -- he'll be the star everyone in Egypt anxiously waits for. Adel EL Mahrouky, CGTN, Cairo."