In their second AFCON 2024 match, Egypt clinched their second 2-2 draw, showcasing resilience against Ghana in Abidjan.
Despite the Pharaohs’ commendable fight, they find themselves with two points in Group B. The post-match discussions, however, centered on the unfortunate first-half injury to their captain, Mo Salah.
The pivotal moment occurred just before the break when Salah, Egypt’s talisman, signaled the need for a substitution. In a cruel twist of fate, Ghana seized the opportunity, with Mohammed Kudus swiftly scoring seconds later, placing Egypt on the back foot.
Undeterred, Salah’s teammates rallied after the break, and Omar Marmoush capitalized on a mistake by La Liga sensation Inaki Williams, leveling the score with a well-placed goal.
This sparked a frenetic five-minute sequence, during which Kudus, with a deflected strike, reinstated Ghana’s lead, only for striker Mostafa Mohamed to promptly equalize for Egypt.
The closing moments of the match saw Egypt enduring a few nerve-wracking situations, but they managed to stave off Ghana’s threats.
However, the focus post-game shifted to Salah’s injury and the race against time for his recovery, crucially ahead of their encounter with Group B leaders Cape Verde on January 22. The Pharaohs face both on-field challenges and the pressing concern of ensuring their captain’s return to full strength.
