Cape Verde vs Egypt: Hapless Ghana keep uninspiring Pharaohs and Salah in AFCON

Cape Verde vs Egypt: Hapless Ghana keep uninspiring Pharaohs and Salah in AFCON

Faruq Ibrahim 23:21 - 22.01.2024

Despite failing to beat group winners Cape Verde, Egypt qualified for the knockout stages of the Cup of Nations thanks to Ghana.

Cape Verde and Egypt booked their places in the next round of AFCON as Group B came to a dramatic end tonight.

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Egypt needed to beat Cape Verde to confirm their place in the next round of the competition, as defeat dumps them out, and a draw throws them into the uncertainties of the 'best loser' slot.

The Pharaohs, despite a spirited comeback in the second-half after falling behind to the small island nation, could only earn a draw, but results elsewhere meant their sojourn in Cote d'Ivoire was extended.

How it happened 

Portuguese manager Rui Vitoria had to name a team without star forward Mo Salah, who sustained an injury in the 2-2 draw against Ghana, as they turned up to face flawless Cape Verde with victory as the goal.

Egypt had a peppy start to the game and had the bulk of the ball in the opening 45, but the Blue Sharks opened the scoring in the match when Gilson Tavarez finished past Mohammed El-Shenawy just before half-time.

The goal was set to send the record AFCON winners home, but the Egyptians found the spirit they displaced in matchday two when they came back twice to draw Ghana, and on the 50th-minute mark, Mahmoud Trezeguet equalised to give the Pharaohs a lifeline.

Mostafa Mohamed put Egypt 2-1 up in the 93rd minute to rapturous celebrations, seemingly sealing a win and consequently a ticket to the next round, but Bryan Silva Teixeira scored an equaliser in the 9th minute of injury time to draw the game.