MOHAMED Salah scored a late penalty to salvage a draw for Egypt against Mozambique in their Group B opener at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations.
It appeared Egypt were going to have a cakewalk over their opponents when Mostafa Mohamed put the Pharaohs ahead after just 89 seconds. This goal is the fastest in the tournament so far and the second-fastest in the competition’s history.
However, Egypt failed to impress throughout the match, allowing Mozambique to pose threats, particularly from the flanks.
In the second half, Witness Ouembo equalized for Mozambique with a well-executed header in the 55th minute.
Just three minutes later, Clesio Bauque capitalized on a defensive lapse and doubled Mozambique’s
Egypt attempted to intensify their offence, introducing several attacking-minded players, but they struggled to make a significant impact.
Their only real threat came in the 77th minute when Hamdi Fathi’s shot hit the post.
With the game heading towards an unprecedented loss for Egypt against Mozambique, Mostafa Mohamed was fouled in the area and was awarded a penalty after a VAR check.
The Liverpool forward, Salah stepped up and converted the penalty, rescuing Egypt from defeat in their opening game.
Egypt will face Ghana on Thursday, while Mozambique will take on Cape Verde earlier in the day.
The unconvincing performance by the Pharaohs raises doubts about their chances of winning their much-awaited eighth African title.
Meanwhile, in the last match for the day between Cape Verde and Ghana, Garry Rodrigues’ stoppage time goal gave the Blue Sharks of Cape Verde all three points against the Black Stars of Ghana in the Group B opener.
The Blue Sharks had gone ahead in the first half thanks to Jamiro Monteiro’s goal and took their lead into halftime.
Alexander Djiku, however, pulled an equaliser in the 56th minute to revive hopes for the Black Stars of Ghana.
And when the game was looking to end in a stalemate, Rodrigues stepped up to the plate to score a late winner that takes Cape Verde to the top of Group B.
Eighteen-Eleven Media