Mohamed Salah scored in the dying stages to help Egypt avoid a shock defeat against Mozambique as the two nations drew 2-2 on Sunday evening.
Africa Cup of Nations
Result: Egypt 2-2 Mozambique
Date: 14 January 2023
Venue: Stade Félix Houphouët-Boigny
Seven-time champions Egypt had their talisman Mohamed Salah leading the attack alongside Trezeguet and Mostafa Mohamed.
The Mambas, meanwhile, made their first appearance at Afcon since 2010 and were skippered by 40-year old Elias Pelembe, with Kaizer Chiefs defender Edmilson Dove among those tasked with keeping Salah quiet, alongside Atletico Madrid left-back Reinildo Mandava.
The Pharaohs had a dream start after Mostafa Mohamed fired them ahead within the first two minutes with a low shot from a loose ball in the box after Salah mistimed his kick.
Mozambique asserted themselves well in the game after that, showing confidence on the ball but nearly went 2-0 down on 24 minutes after Trezeguet cracked the near post following a surge into the box.
Chiquinho Conde's charges remained persistent going forward and nearly forced Mohamed Hamdi to score an own goal after his mistimed clearance, which was dipping beneath the crossbar was heroically kept out by goalkeeper Mohamed El Shenawy.
Egypt got back into their stride in the closing phase of the first stanza and Mohamed Hamdi almost doubled their lead on the stroke of half-time with a free header in the box that dragged wide.
The Mambas took the game to the North African side from the break and ten minutes later Witi levelled matters with a free header in the box from a cross by Domingos Macandza.
The Pharaohs were still stunned, as Clesio Bauque made it 2-1 for Mozambique three minutes later with a strike past El Shenawy after racing clear on goal from a transition attack.
Rui Vitoria eventually reacted with an attacking change on 66 minutes, as he brought on Eintracht Frankfurt attacker Omar Marmoush in place of Trezeguet to try turn things around.
Egypt pressurized the Mambas in the closing stages and their pressure paid off in stoppage time after they were awarded a penalty via a Video Assistant Referee (VAR) review for a high kick by Macandza on Mostafa Mohamed in the box. Salah expertly dispatched the spot-kick in, off the post as he made it 2-2 for the North African giants.
However, there was no time for Egypt to complete the comeback, as the sides started their Group B campaign with a point apiece.
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