Top favorite Egypt for Liverpool star Mohamed Salah has averted an embarrassment in stoppage time at the start of the Africa Cup of Nations in Ivory Coast (Cote d’Ivoire). Thanks to a converted penalty kick by Salah (90th + 7), the record winner scored 2-2 (1-0) against underdog Mozambique, who are taking part in the tournament for the first time since 2010.
Stanley Ratifo, who is under contract with the German top division club 1. CfR Pforzheim, played in Mozambique’s forward line from the start. Bundesliga professional Omar Marmoush from Eintracht Frankfurt, however, was not in the Egyptians’ starting lineup, but was substituted on.
At first everything seemed to be going according to plan for the top favorite: Mostafa Mohamed scored in the second minute of the game. But Mozambique fought back and also set an offensive tone. A double strike after the break by Witi (55th) and Clesio Bauque (58th) turned the game on its head. Things then got heated and after minutes of VAR testing in stoppage time, Egypt were awarded a penalty, which Salah happily converted with the inside of the post.
Co-favorites Nigeria also dropped points despite a goal from star striker Victor Osimhen at the start. Coach Jose Vitor dos Santos Peseiro’s team only played 1-1 (1-1) against Equatorial Guinea in Abidjan despite their great superiority. Equatorial Guinea is only in 88th place in the FIFA world rankings, while the Nigerians, who will have to do without the injured Leverkusen striker Victor Boniface for the entire tournament, are in 42nd place.
Iban Salvador (36th) shocked the favorite, but Osimhen (38th) responded immediately with a header after an assist from ex-Leipziger Ademola Lookman. Nigeria then missed numerous chances in 32 degree weather in the sparsely filled Stade Olympique Alassanne Ouattara, which has a capacity of 60,000 spectators.