Egypt suffered a major setback on Friday as captain and star forward Mohamed Salah will remain on the sidelines for two Africa Cup of Nations games with a hamstring injury.
The record seven-time champions confirmed in a statement that Liverpool star Salah will remain out of action unless they reach the quarter-finals at the event.
The 31-year-old left the pitch in the first half of the Pharaohs´ 2-2 draw with Ghana on Thursday.
Salah will miss Monday´s final group game against Cape Verde and the round of 16 clash.
After drawing their first two games, Egypt need to win against Cape Verde to be guaranteed of qualifying in second place in Group B.
If Egypt qualify, their last-16 match could take place in San-Pedro on January 28, while they could also potentially advance as one of the best third-placed teams.
Salah will be back on the pitch if Egypt make it to a quarter-final on February 2 or 3.
Senegal, who beat Salah´s Egypt on penalties in the final of the last AFCON, qualified for the next round with one group game to spare thanks to a 3-1 win over Cameroon in Yamoussoukro.
Ismaila Sarr of Marseille put the reigning champions ahead early on and later set up Habib Diallo to make it 2-0.
Jean-Charles Castelletto pulled one back, but Senegal were not to be denied a convincing victory and talisman Sadio Mane put the outcome beyond doubt late on.
Senegal have a maximum six points after two Group C matches, while Cameroon have only one and their hopes of advancing to the last 16 are in the balance.
"I remember that in 2017 we lost to Cameroon in the quarter-finals, so during this match we did everything to win," said Marseille forward Sarr.