As Pharaohs live to fight another day in Group A

Egypt captain Mohammed Salah scored late to rescue Egypt from a Mozambique shock in their opening group D game of the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations Côte d’Ivoire 2023.

It took the 7-time champions just two minutes to get into the lead, thanks to Mohamed Mostafa’s strike.

Mohammed Salah failed to connect to a cross from Mohammed Hamdi, but Mostafa was just there to swivel a shot into the bottom corner. Once again, Salah put Mostafa through, but goalkeeper Ernan Siluane saved his final effort.

Mozambique came close to getting their first goal after Mohamed Abdelmonem was forced to put the ball into his net, but El Shenawy managed to save the situation.

The Mambas came into the second half much more potent.

Witness Quembo headed home the equalizer for Mozambique. A bullet header beat the palm of El Shenawy after a lovely cross from Domingos in the 55th minute. The goal is Mozambique’s first in the last 14 years.

Three minutes later, Clesio Bauque added Mozambique’s second. He broke through the Egyptian to set up a one-on-one with Mohamed El Shenawy to score.

Domingos Macandza brought down Mostafa Mohammed in the game’s closing stages, and after a VAR review, Egypt was awarded a penalty.

Salah stepped up and scored for Egypt to draw them level.

Egypt will play Ghana on Thursday, January 18, at the Felix Houphouet Boigny Stadium.