In the CAN 2024 Group B clash between Egypt and Ghana, the Pharaohs and the Black Stars were finally neutralized after an unequal match (2-2). Egypt is in second place in Group B and Ghana is last, awaiting the match between Mozambique and Cape Verde on Friday.
Published on: 01/18/2024 – 10:58 p.m. Modified on: 01/18/2024 – 11:07 p.m.
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No winner in the clash of the titans! Egypt and Ghana – eleven African Cups between them – ended in a draw (2-2), Thursday January 18, during the second day of group B of the African Cup of Nations, at the Stade Félix Houphouët-Boigny in Abidjan. A draw which does not help anyone, and a hard blow for Egypt, which lost Salah to injury.
The first half, however, was poor, even very poor, in terms of clear chances. Both teams turned the ball, attempted overflows and incursions into the opposing defense, without finding the fault. Both defenses were solid, and both teams showed significant physical commitment.
We had to wait until the end of the first period to see the match resolved… at the expense of the Egyptians, who had to part with Mohamed Salah, injured, taken out and replaced by Mostapha Fathi. Liverpool’s star striker is definitely cursed in CAN, after two lost finals in 2017 and 2021, and now, an injury.
Read alsoCAN 2024: Mohamed Salah, finally the time to shine with Egypt?
A few moments later, in added time, the Egyptian defense cracked. With a powerful left-footed strike at the entrance to the Pharaons penalty area, Ghanaian striker Mohamed Kudus beat Egyptian goalkeeper Mohamed el-Shenawy and opened the scoring. The two teams separate at half-time with this slight advantage for the Black Stars.
A (much) livelier second half
Mohamed Kudus also gets the first opportunity of the second half (50th) with a right-footed shot after a corner returned to the centre. However, he saw his attempt, with a rebound, pass just above the Egyptian goals.
Read alsoCAN 2024: Cape Verde wins at the wire against Ghana and takes the lead in group B
In the seconds that followed, the Pharaohs believed they were back on track after a free kick in the penalty area and a goal scored by Ahmed Egazi after a header from a teammate. But this goal was ultimately refused for an offside position. A few minutes later, Omar Marmoush tried his luck in the penalty area, but saw his powerful right-footed shot repelled by Ghanaian goalkeeper Richard Ofori.
Omar Marmoush manages to find the fault in the 69th minute. Taking advantage of a bad back pass from Inaki Williams, the Egyptian striker grabbed the ball, dribbled past the goalkeeper and scored, allowing the Pharaohs to come back into the score.
The joy was, however, short-lived. Barely a few seconds later, in the 71st minute, Mohamed Kudus, again, managed to deceive the Egyptian goalkeeper for the second time with a left-footed strike in the Pharaons penalty area, allowing Ghana to regain the lead. advantage.
And as football is a sport full of surprises, once again, a few moments later, in the 74th minute, Mostafa Mohamed managed to equalize after an action initiated by Osman Bukari losing the ball on the left side. Three goals in five minutes, and a score of two goals everywhere.
The score will not change until the final whistle. The Pharaons and the Black Stars remain respectively in second and last place in Group B, pending the other match between Mozambique and Cape Verde on Friday January 19. For the second time in two matches, Egypt achieved a draw, and with a score of two goals everywhere.
