Mozambique was very close to inflicting a surprise defeat on Egypt (2-2) for its first match of this CAN 2024. After overturning the match at the start of the second period, the Mambas conceded the equalizer on penalty in the final seconds.
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Will the Pharaohs succeed in continuing their dynasty? Most successful team in African Cup of Nations with seven coronations (1957, 1959, 1986, 1998, 2006, 2008 and 2010), Egypt remains on two recent failures in the final of the competition against Cameroon in 2017 and Senegal in 2021. And for their entry into this edition 2024, Mohamed Salah and his teammates were scared against Mozambique (2-2).
The Egyptians did not wait long to punish Mozambique. The good work of Trezeguet on the left wing, followed by a missed recovery from Mohamed Salah in the area, allowed Mostafa Mohamed to inherit the ball at the penalty point and score in a pivot without giving Siluane any chance ( 2nd, 1-0). The Egyptian striker could then have worsened the score but he lost his duel against the Mozambican goalkeeper after a good counter-attack (9th).
Technically dominated but active in attack, the Mambas then reacted with a superb action from Witiness Quembo, whose shot after a superb oriented control came close to the Egyptian goal (18th). In response, Trezeguet found Siluane’s post after a good sequence of play with Salah (24th).
Mozambique attacked again, forcing El-Shenawy to draw an extended save after a dangerous cross from Gildo Vilanculos just in front of his cage (33rd). Siluane worked twice before half-time to keep his team afloat: first on a long cross from Elneny pushed back in front of Salah (41st), then on a well-taken low shot (48th) .
The Mambas turn the match around in two minutes
Upon restart, both teams fell into a false rhythm and struggled to build offensive sequences. Mozambique took the opportunity to completely reverse the course of the match in two minutes. Witiness Quembo first equalized following a headed cross and perfectly placed in the small net of El-Shenawy (54th, 1-1). In the process, Clesio Bauque was launched deep to crucify the Egyptian goalkeeper without trembling with a flat foot (56th, 1-2).
In the last quarter of an hour of the match, Egypt struggled to obtain dangerous actions in the opposing area. Siluane still repelled a floating ball which was heading towards his top corner (76th), then Marmoush completely unscrewed his shot at the entrance to the area (77th).
Like his team in full doubt, Mohamed Salah could then have equalized but he completely missed his shot right in front of the opposing goal (82nd). Tenacious in defense, the Mambas repelled the timid Egyptian attempts until Mostafa Mohamed was hit in the area during a duel with Macandza (90th + 2) and a penalty was awarded to the Egyptians. Mohamed Salah did not tremble to put the two teams back on level terms at the end of added time (90th + 6, 2-2). Mozambique did not come far from a first historic success in the African Cup of Nations.
Read alsoCAN 2024 calendar and results