Salah late penalty saves Egypt a draw against Mozambique

Abidjan,

Sunday, 14 January, 2024 

McCreadie Andias 

Mohammed Salah saved Egypt from one of their most humiliating defeats in history as he converted a 97th minute penalty to secure a 2-2 draw against Mozambique in an AFCON match played on Sunday. 

Pharaohs stroke early as Mostafa Mohamed pounced on a Salah missed-shot sending the ball into the back of the net for an opener for Egypt in just two minutes. 

Eight minutes later, Mohamed came close to doubling but a more keen Ernan stepped up to deny the Nantes striker a second. 

A few minutes into the break the mambas broke their silence when Witi striked an effort but goalkeeper Mohamed Ek Shenawy tipped the ball over the bar denying Mambas an equalizer.

Mozambique came into the second half on fire with two quick goals in a two minute - interval as Witi headed home Domingos Macandza’s pinpoint cross in the 55th minute, then substitute Clesio Bauque slotted a majestic finish past El Shenawy earning Mambas a 2-1 lead.

Mozambique maintained their lead into the dying minute of the match until Domingos Macandza felled Mohamed in the box, handing Egypt a penalty after a long VAR review. 

It was Mo Salah who converted from 12 yards to get the Pharaohs out of shame but a draw was still an embarrassing result for them in a much that was more like a walk over. 

Meanwhile, Egypt prepare to take on Ghana in their second group game as they look for a must win to keep their qualification hopes alive.