By Alusine Fullah
In a very sensational match, Cape Verde’s Bryan Teixeira scored a 99th minute equaliser after Mohamed Mostafa’s late wonder-goal as they held record seven-time champions Egypt to a 2-2 Group B draw at the Africa Cup of Nations, with both sides reaching the round of 16 after a pulsating clash on Monday 22nd January, 2024.
Cape Verde had already been confirmed as group winners before a ball was kicked and took the lead against the run of play through striker Benchimol at the end of the first half. Egypt hit back five minutes into the second period when Trezeguet produced a neat finish from a tight angle, before Mohamed thought he had won the game in added time after racing onto a long pass to score a spectacular goal. Indeed, he was the game change. He put smile on Egyptians!
As it stands, Cape Verde has claimed Group B top spot with seven points from their three games followed by Egypt on three points in second place and Ghana third with two points. The group phase finishes on Wednesday when Ghana, who drew 2-2 with Mozambique, will find out if they are one of the best third-place finishers to advance.
Egypt was again without striker Mohamed Salah, who could sit out the remainder of the tournament after his agent, revealed on Monday that the Liverpool striker faces three or four weeks on the side lines with his muscle injury.
That would take Salah, who was watching on from the stands on Monday. Cape Verde took the lead against the run of play with their first shot of the game on the stroke of half-time.
Kenny Rocha produced a cross from the right, Ryan Mendes touched the ball on and Benchimol struck a low shot into the net on the turn with a superb finish. Trezeguet fired over for Egypt seconds after coming on as a half-time substitute, but their early pressure in the half paid dividends as they netted an excellent equaliser.
Ahmed Hegazy’s one-two with Trezeguet was perfect for the latter to drive home a shot from a tight angle. Mohamed should have put Egypt ahead in the final six minutes from six yards out, but he ballooned the ball over the bar before making up for the miss with an acrobatic goal in the 93rd minute that was given despite a lengthy VAR review for handball.
