Mohamed Salah limped off as Egypt battled back on two occasions to rescue a 2-2 draw against Ghana in their Group B clash on Thursday night.
Africa Cup of Nations
Result: Egypt 2-2 Ghana
Date: 18 January 2024
Venue: Stade Félix Houphouët-Boigny
The Pharaohs recalled Eintracht Frankfurt striker Omar Marmoush at the expense of Trezeguet while the Black Stars were boosted by the return of West Ham United forward Mohammed Kudus and also brought back striker Inaki Williams.
Ghana were full of energy in the opening exchanges but they were evenly matched by Egypt, with neither side giving chances away.
The game got tactical towards the half-hour mark, with Mohamed Salah not getting moments on the ball for the Pharaohs while the likes of Williams also could not get into the match.
The encounter took a different turn just before the half-time break after Egypt had to replace Salah after he picked up a knock as Mostafa Fathi came on in his place.
The North African giants were caught napping just after that as Kudus broke the deadlock for Chris Hughton's charges with a bullet strike from the edge of the box after navigating past a wall of defence.
Egypt were quick off the blocks from the break as six minutes later Mohamed Abdelmonem found the back of the net with a close-range finish after a cut-back but the goal was disallowed for offside.
The Pharaohs kept on coming as shortly before the hour-mark Marmoush came close to levelling matters with a powerful looping shot that was brilliantly parried away by goalkeeper Richard Ofori at the near post.
Rui Vitoria made a tactical and attacking change with 22 minutes to go, as Trezeguet replaced Mohamed Elneny.
Marmoush immediately got the equaliser for Egypt just a minute later with a strike at the near post after he rounded Ofori following a back pass that put him through on goal.
However, Ghana restored their lead straight from the restart after Kudus' shot took a slight deflection in the box and got away from shot-stopper Mohamed El Shenawy.
Another mistake at the back by the Black Stars allowed the Pharaohs back into the game, as moments later, with 15 minutes to go, Mostafa Mohamed levelled matters from close-range after a cut-back by Trezeguet.
The game was on the edge in the dying minutes as Ofori had to make a crucial save to deny Egypt the winner and the sides shared the spoils in the end.
The Black Stars picked up their first point and the Pharaohs only collected their second point in Group B.
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