Salah rescues Egypt from embarrassing defeat in Abidjan

Egypt and Mozambique played to an absorbing encounter in their Group B opener at the 2024 Africa Cup of Nations, as a 97th minute penalty by Mohamed Salah saw the Mambas and the Pharaohs share the spoils in a 2-2 draw at Stade Félix Houphouët Boigny on Sunday evening.

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Both teams share the points as Egypt's late goal cancels out Mozambique's great comeback. 🤝#EGYMOZ | #TotalEnergiesAFCON2023 pic.twitter.com/aWLBDUcPdR

After a bright start to the game, Egypt’s early pressure paid off in the 2nd minute as Mostafa Mohamed opened his account at the Africa Cup of Nations.

With a dangerous ball played into the area, Mohamed latched onto a scuffed effort by Mohamed Salah and slotted the ball into the back of the net with aplomb.

Mozambique struggled to get into the game after conceding as Egypt worked hard to regain possession in the middle of the park. Salah continued to pull the attacking strings for Egypt as the game progressed as Os Mambas battled under the Pharaohs energy and grit going forward.

Mozambique created a couple of goal scoring opportunities of their own as the 20th minute approached but were met by aggressive defending by the Pharaohs. After 35 minutes played at Stade Félix Houphouët Boigny, goalkeeper Mohamed El Shenawy prevented a potential own goal by lifting Mohamed Hamdy’s dodgy back pass over the crossbar.

Neither side were able to capitalise on their attacking advancements as the half came to a close with Egypt maintaining their slender lead at the break.

Mozambique levelled matters 10 minutes after the restart as Witi joined Mohamed on the scoreboard. Against the run of play, the attacker got on the end of a curving ball into the area before slotting the ball home with a crafty header toward El Shenawy’s left-hand post.

With wind in their sails, Os Mambas took the lead shortly before the hour mark courtesy of second-half substitute Clesio Baque. Played through on goal with a defense splitting pass in the middle of the pitch, Baque found himself one-on-one with the Egyptian goalkeeper before slotting the ball away with ease.

Mozambique played under the cosh for much of the second-half after taking the lead as the likes of Mohamed and Salah piled on the pressure during the closing stage of the encounter.

Egypt were handed a lifeline in the 93rd minute of the match, with VAR called into play to assess a foul inside the Mozambique area. With the referee pointing to the spot after heading to the touchline monitor, Salah made sure to secure a point for his nation.

Egypt will now shift their attention to Ghana on the 18th of January, while Mozambique will face Cape Verde in their next Group B fixture.

Egypt: (1) 2 (Mohamed 2’, Salah 97’)

Mozambique: (0) 2 (Witi 55’, Baque 58)

Egypt: El Shenawy, Hany (Kamal 66’), Abdelmonem, Hegazy, Hamdy Sharaf, Elneny (Ashour 77’), Fathi, Zizo, Salah, Mohamed, Trezeguet (Marmoush 66’)

Mozambique: Hernani Siluane, Mandava, Edmilson, Mexer, Domingos, Witi (Momade 81’), Amade, Guima (Nene 89’), Vilanculos (Baque 46’), Domingues (Langa 46’), Ratifo (King 66’)