Afcon 2023: Egypt 2-2 Ghana – Pharaohs fight back for draw despite injury to Mohamed Salah

Egypt fought back twice to draw 2-2 with Ghana on the Africa Cup of Nations after a full of life second half in Abidjan.

Omar Marmoush levelled however West Ham’s Kudus rapidly restored the Black Stars’ lead with a deflected effort.

However, Mostafa Mohamed stabbed in to give Egypt their second level and depart Ghana winless after two Group B video games.

There have been late probabilities at both finish to win it, with Ghana goalkeeper Richard Ofori saving Emam Ashour’s shot earlier than Pharaohs keeper Mohamed El Shenawy failed to clear a nook which Iddrisu Baba couldn’t divert goalwards.

Chris Hughton’s Black Stars lost their opening game against Cape Verde and the 4-time continental champions are getting ready to a second successive group-stage exit from the Afcon finals.

Cape Verde will safe prime spot in Group B if the islanders beat Mozambique on Tuesday (14:00 GMT), with each Egypt and Ghana ready to discover out what they may require from the ultimate spherical of video games on Monday.

The 24-staff format means three factors could also be sufficient to qualify as one in all 4 finest third-positioned sides.

Salah pressured off earlier than Kudus comes to celebration

Salah had netted a 97th-minute penalty to salvage a 2-2 draw for Egypt against Mozambique of their first outing, however the ahead was a peripheral determine towards Ghana earlier than sinking to the turf in frustration after which trudging off.

The injury will probably be a priority to each the North Africans, who have been runners-up on the 2021 Afcon, and Liverpool given the 31-12 months-outdated’s central function of their Premier League title problem.

Egypt coach coach Rui Vitoria mentioned: “We do not know but what’s the drawback. I hope it isn’t a giant drawback. “Now, I do not know as a result of it’s early to see one thing. I believe it isn’t harmful however let’s have a look at if Salah recovers.”

Moments later Kudus, who had missed Ghana’s opener by way of injury, supplied the one spark in a primary half which was low on high quality.

The 23-12 months-outdated obtained the ball simply outdoors the penalty space D and confirmed fast toes to transfer away from two defenders earlier than unleashing a left-footed effort which flew contained in the left-hand upright.

The second half was stuffed with incident and Mohamed Abdelmonem thought he had equalised six minutes after the break from Ahmed Hegazi’s header throughout objective, however the assistant’s flag went up for an offside within the construct-up and the choice was confirmed by the video assistant referee.

Egypt, document seven-time Afcon winners, did degree within the 69th minute when Marmoush pounced on an errant backpass from Inaki Williams, rounded Ofori and slotted in from a slim angle.

But Ghana have been back in entrance simply 141 seconds later as Denis Odoi picked out Kudus within the space and his left-footed strike deflected off the shoulder of the unlucky Abdelmonem and into the underside left-hand nook.

The Black Stars might as soon as once more not maintain on to their lead, although, as Trezeguet robbed Osman Bukari and arrange Mohamed for a intelligent end by way of Ofori’s legs – and an end result that left each side with work to do to of their ultimate group video games.