The Pharaohs of Egypt booked their place in the round of 16 following a 2-2 draw with Cape Verde in their final group B game at the ongoing 2023 AFCON in Cote d’Ivoire, www.aclsports.com reports.
The game between already qualified Cape Verde and the Egyptians took place at the Felix Houphouet Boigny Stadium where Nigeria’s Super Eagles earlier sealed progression into the knock-out stages on Monday. Meanwhile, the other group B game between Ghana and Mozambique was played concurrently at Alassane Ouattara Stadium in Ebimpe.
Following Ghana and Mozambique’s 2-2 stalemate, Egypt finished in second place and subsequently booked their spot in the Round of 16.
Cape Verde looked more confident on the ball than the seven-time AFCON champions and were threatening in the early stages. However, Egypt came close to scoring in the 19th minute after Cape Verde goalkeeper Vozinha was called into action and kept his nation in the game with a telling save following a long-range effort by Omar Marmoush.
However, Cape Verde went in front on the stroke of halftime through Gilson Tavares. Upon resumption of play after the break, Egypt put Cape Verde under immense pressure during the early exchanges of the second half and they eventually got their reward. Second-half substitute Trezeguet grabbed a well-deserved equalizer after some exciting exchange of passes with Ahmed Hegazi inside the penalty area.
With the game heading for a draw, Mostafa Mohamed handed the Egyptians the lead in the 93rd minute, but in the dramatic turn of events, Bryan Teixeira popped up inside the Egypt box to score a 99th-minute equalizer to preserve his side’s unbeaten record.
DRAMA AT EBIMPE
Ghana were dumped out of the AFCON after they conceded two late goals to draw 2-2 with Mozambique at the Alassane Ouattara Stadium on Monday night.
A penalty in either half from Jordan Ayew had put the Black Stars in the ascendancy, but the Mambas came alive in the final 10 minutes to dent the hopes of the Black Stars. Geny Catamo pulled one back from the spot in the first minute of stoppage time before Reinildo Mandava capitalized on a blunder from Richard Ofori to draw his side level in the 94th minute.
Chris Hughton’s side finished third in Group B on two points, one behind Egypt but a minus one goal difference means the West Africans cannot qualify for the last 16 as one of the best third-placed teams.
The Black Stars have now been dumped out at the group stages of the past two AFCON editions.
