Africa Cup Of Nations 2023: Mo Salah Saves Egypt From Defeat Against Mozambique

Egyptian striker Mostafa Mohamed celebrated a goal against Mozambique in the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations. Egypt failed to win and drew 2-2. (X/@CAF_Online)

JAKARTA - Liverpol star Mohamed Salah saved Egypt from defeat in the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations. In the first match of Group B at the Felix Houphotoet Boigny Stadium, Egypt fell behind until injury time before drawing 2-2.

Egypt actually started the match well. They took the lead through a quick goal from Mostafa Mohamed. Even the game had only been running for two minutes, Mohamed successfully completed the assist from Salah.

After that goal, Egypt became more aggressive in suppressing the opponent. Trezeguet's forward has almost increased its advantage. However, the Turkish club's forward Trabzonspor still hit the post.

Mozambique also showed aggressiveness to catch up with goals. They had the opportunity to equalize the score when Egyptian defender Mohamed Hamdi made a blunder about throwing the ball away.

Because the ball slid into the net itself. Luckily Mohamed El Shennawy struggled to dive to stop the ball from coming in.

Mohamed's no additional goals and new Mohamed did so that the score remained 1-0 for Egypt at halftime.

In the second half Mozambique took a role in the game. They control the game. This time, Mozambique got a quick goal scored. In 55 minutes, midfielder Witiness Quembo successfully equalized the score.

Starting from the action of defender Domingos Macandza who climbed the coating of attack. He then released a cross which was greeted with Quembo's header which beat goalkeeper Mohamed El Shenawy.

The goal apparently damaged the concentration of Egyptian players. Evidently, within three minutes, Mozambique had turned ahead through Clesio.

This started with Guima giving Uman to Clesio Bauque. The midfielder at Finnish club Honka had avoided a hard tackle from Ahmed Hegazi before releasing a hard shot at the Egyptian goal. The score changed to 2-1 for Mozambique.

When Mozambique is predicted to win the match, but that hope is dashed at the last minute.

Because Mozambique was awarded a penalty in the 90+7 minute. The penalty was given after the Tigers were deemed to have violated Hegazy in the box. After reviewing the incident via VAR, the referee pointed to the spot.

Salah also completed the execution so that it changed to 2-2. Shortly thereafter the final whistle sounded.

"The disappointing result was that we failed to win," Guima said in response to the game.

"But this makes us stronger. We don't think narrowly but instead think big," he said.

Meanwhile, Egyptian coach Rui Vitoria was disappointed because the team lost concentration which resulted in quite fatal consequences. They conceded twice within three minutes.

"We lost concentration which resulted in the concedement of two goals. But we didn't completely fail. We also still have the chance to qualify from the group stage," said Vitoria.