Egypt and Ghana played out a thrilling 2-2 draw, intensifying the competition in Group C. The match, filled with twists and turns, saw both teams desperately seeking a victory to bolster their chances of advancing to the next stage.
Following the earlier showdown between Ivory Coast and Nigeria, which ended in a 1-0 victory for Nigeria, the pressure was on Egypt and Ghana to secure a crucial win.
Egypt, shocked by Mozambique in their first match, aimed to bounce back, relying on the prowess of star player Mohamed Salah.
However, the game took an unexpected turn just before halftime as Salah suffered an injury, forcing an early exit from the field.
The injury to Salah proved to be a significant setback for Egypt, but Ghana took advantage of the situation.
Mohamed Kudus seized the opportunity and scored a spectacular goal from outside the penalty area, putting Ghana in the lead just before halftime.
The second half witnessed a dramatic shift in dynamics. Egypt, now without Salah, displayed resilience and managed to level the score at 1-1 in the 70th minute.
Marmoush intercepted a pass from Inaki Williams and skillfully navigated past the goalkeeper to secure the equalizer.
However, the see-saw battle continued, and Ghana swiftly responded. A mere minute later, Mohamed Kudus, displaying exceptional skill, delivered a curled shot that found the back of the net, bringing the score to 2-1 in favor of Ghana.
As the final whistle blew, the 2-2 draw left both teams with a challenging path ahead, setting the stage for a final group-stage clash where Egypt and Ghana will vie for qualification.
The absence of Mohamed Salah due to injury adds an additional layer of complexity to Egypt’s campaign in AFCON 2023.
Football enthusiasts worldwide eagerly await the unfolding drama in this fiercely competitive tournament.