In a breathtaking encounter at the Stade Félix Houphouët-Boigny, Egypt narrowly escaped an opening-game upset against Mozambique in their opening game of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).
The match, held on Sunday evening, showcased the Mambas’ resilience as they fought back from behind, only to be denied victory by a late penalty from the ever-reliable Mohammed Salah.
The Pharaohs took an early lead courtesy of Mostafa Mohamed, who capitalized on a precise pass from Salah. Pouncing on a loose ball inside the penalty area, Mohamed clinically found the bottom right corner, giving Egypt a promising start.
However, Mozambique, making only their fourth AFCON appearance and their first since 2010, displayed commendable determination. In the second half, they orchestrated a quick turnaround with two goals in succession. Witi leveled the score at 1-1 in the 55th minute with a skillfully executed header following Domingos Macandza’s superb lofted cross. Just three minutes later, Clesio Bauque netted another for Mozambique, rolling the ball past Mohamed El Shenawy to seize a 2-1 lead.
The Pharaohs, determined to avoid an upset, pressed forward. Hamdi Fathi came close to restoring parity, but a wasted opportunity saw his first-time shot striking the right post in the 77th minute.
As tension gripped the stadium, the turning point came in stoppage time. Mostafa Mohamed went down under a challenge in the box, prompting vehement appeals from the Egyptian players. Initially dismissing the claims, the referee revisited the decision after consulting the Video Assistant Referee (VAR), ultimately awarding Egypt a lifeline in the form of a penalty.
With the weight of the nation on his shoulders, Mohammed Salah stepped up and clinically converted the spot-kick, salvaging a crucial point for the seven-time champions.
Despite the relief, the Pharaohs now face the challenge of seeking their first victory in the tournament when they lock horns with familiar foes Ghana in their second group-stage fixture on Thursday evening.