Egypt came from behind twice to secure a thrilling draw 2-2 against Ghana in the Africa Cup of Nations at the Felix Houphouet-Boigny in Abidjan.
Ghana’s Mohammed Kudus scored twice in his first tournament game, but Egypt scored two goals from Omar Marmoush and Mostafa Mohamed after Salah was taken off late in the first half in Abidjan to save a point. Egypt has won this tournament seven times.
“We don’t know yet what is the problem (with Salah). I hope not a big problem. It is too early to say something,” said Egypt boss Rui Vitoria.
After falling behind twice at the Felix Houphouet Boigny Stadium, Egypt showed a lot of toughness even without their star forward. They took advantage of two mistakes made by Ghana to get another point after Mozambique tied them 2-2 in the first game of Group B.
Just one of their last 11 AFCON games, the Black Stars have won. They are in danger of losing in the group stage for the second year in a row, even though Kudus is back from injury after a shocking 2-1 loss to Cape Verde in their first game.
“Of course it’s very frustrating because I felt we deserved to win the game,” said Ghana coach Chris Hughton.
“The dressing room is a very disappointed dressing room at the moment because this was a very good opportunity for us to get three points.”
Egypt is only one point ahead of them, and they still have to play their last game. The Pharaohs’ biggest concern right now will be Liverpool striker Salah’s health.
In Group A, Nigeria’s captain William Troost-Ekong scored a penalty kick 10 minutes into the second half to secure a win over Ivory Coast. The penalty was given after a VAR check showed that Victor Osimhen had been fouled.
Before that, the Super Eagles played Equatorial Guinea to a 1-1 draw to start their AFCON campaign. They then held on in front of a crazy crowd at the Ebimpe Olympic Stadium in Abidjan to get their first win.
“Our team was better and for that we won, but Ivory Coast is a good team. They lost the match because that can happen,” said Nigeria coach Jose Peseiro.
“Today I said to my players it is normal that you score at least one goal, so if you don’t suffer a goal, you win.”
Nigeria and Equatorial Guinea are tied for first place in their group with four points each. Ivory Coast is in third place with three points, and Guinea-Bissau is out of the competition after losing both of its games.
To make sure they finish in the top two, Nigeria only needs to avoid losing to Guinea-Bissau, which they already beat 4–2.
There is room for error because the four best third-placed teams in each of the six groups will all make it to the round of 16. However, Ivory Coast must beat Equatorial Guinea in their last game on Monday to be sure of making it.
Emilio Nsue scored the first hat-trick in the tournament since 2008 as Equatorial Guinea beat Guinea-Bissau to get closer to making it to the round of 16.
Nsue scored the first goal in the first half in front of a small crowd, and he scored two more in the second half in an amazing performance.
Because of this, Equatorial Guinea needs to get a point next week against Ivory Coast in order to be sure of moving on from Group A.
Since Soufiane Alloudi scored three goals in a 5-1 win over Namibia in 2008 in Ghana, Captain Nsue is the first player in Cup of Nations history to do so. He is 34 years old.
“I feel very happy. I knew this could be one of my last Africa Cups. This is my third, so I came here mentally very strong, I trusted in myself, and I am playing very well,” Nsue said.
“I know I have the quality to do a good job. I just want to continue and score more goals, and I hope to be top scorer ahead of all the superstars who are here.”
Photo by Lenoir Records/BackpagePix
