Egypt secured a 2-2 draw against Mozambique in their first Group B game on Sunday evening at the Stade Felix Houphouet-Boigny in Ivory Coast. Mostafa Mohamed opened the scoring for Egypt after just two minutes, but two goals in four second-half minutes left Mozambique on the verge of a massive upset, only for Mohamed Salah to score a 97th minute penalty.
Mohamed Salah’s injury-time penalty saved Egypt from a shock defeat in their Africa Cup of Nations opener against Mozambique.
After Mostafa Mohamed opened the scoring inside 90 seconds, two goals in four second half minutes from Witi Quembo and Clesio Bauque had the underdogs lined up for one of the great shocks in the history of the competition.
A clumsy challenge from Domingos Macandza on Mohamed was not initially given as a spot-kick but, after viewing a sideline screen, the referee reversed his decision and the Liverpool man slotted home in-off the post.
Egypt looked in total command in the first half and could have been further ahead when Mahmoud Trezeguet was the width of the post away from an equaliser in the 26th minute, but two fantastic goals turned the tide.
Witi leapt majestically to head home Macandza’s cross and substitute Bauque blitzed through the middle of the Egypt defence before striking home with panache with what would have been a fitting winner.
Salah looked like being the villain when he missed a volley which dropped to him all alone in the area seven minutes from time, but he and his country were lucky enough to get another chance to salvage a point from the match.
Egypt next meet Ghana on Thursday, while Mozambique play Cape Verde 24 hours later.
TALKING POINT – YOU HAVE TO FEEL FOR MOZAMBIQUE
Madagascar’s victory over Nigeria in 2019 is often seen as the benchmark in AFCON upsets, with Zambia’s dream run to victory in 2012 not far behind. This would have been up there in discussion after these milestone moments. Mozambique had only taken three points in the African Cup of Nations up to this point.
They had not scored in it for 14 years. Yet with regulation time ending they looked on course to beat the side led by the continent’s best player – amongst other stars. They rode their luck a little in the first half, but always had their chances.
Witi had a great chance to score in the first half, when he scuffed an effort wide of the target and with Egypt not taking advantage of their dominance in possession, Mozambique’s clinical finishing gave them the advantage. Alhough they will rue the use of VAR, they cannot really complain it was not a penalty, though sympathy lies with Domingos Macandza for his honest challenge which was just a fraction late. One thing is for certain: with Egypt and Nigeria failing to win today, no favourite will go into a game thinking a victory is a formality in this tournament.
PLAYER OF THE MATCH: MOSTAFA MOHAMED (EGYPT)
He certainly did not come into the game as Egypt’s most dangerous attacker, but he proved to be that in the 90-plus minutes of action. At the start, his quicksilver turn put his country in front in what was then expected to be a comfortable evening. As it proved not to be the case, after his strike partner missed a sitter, he put himself in position to win the foul to earn his friend the chance of a reprieve.
PLAYER RATINGS:
Egypt: Al-Shenawi 6; Hany 7, Hegazy 6, Hamdi 6, Abdel Monem 6; Fathi 6, Trezeguet 6, Elneny 6; Sayed 7, Salah 6, Mohamed 7.
Subs: Marmoush 6, Kamal 6, Ashour 6, Hassan 6.
Mozambique: Siluane 6; Dove 7, Macandza 6, Mandava 6, Mexer 6; Pelembe 6, Amade 6, Witi 7, Guima 7; Ratifo 6, Gildo 6.
Subs: Langa 6, Bauque 8, King 6, Amadu 6, Jone 6.
