In a captivating conclusion to Group B in Abidjan, Egypt secured a spot in the last 16 of the Africa Cup of Nations after a thrilling 2-2 draw with Cape Verde, altering the course of their standing in the group.
Initially poised to finish third behind Cape Verde and Ghana, the Pharaohs staged a remarkable comeback with stoppage-time goals in a dramatic climax to the group stage. Mostafa Mohamed, the forward for Egypt, seemingly secured a 93rd-minute winner, propelling them to the knockout stage.
The saga began with Cape Verde opening the scoring in additional time of the first half. A well-placed cross by Mendes found Benchimol, who adeptly placed the ball into the net, giving the Blue Sharks a 1-0 lead at halftime.
The second half witnessed strategic moves from the Pharaohs, with quick substitutions involving Trezeguet and Hamdy making way for Fatouh and Fathy. In a swift turn of events, Hegazi’s cross found substitute Trezeguet, whose powerful shot leveled the scoreline.
The ensuing regular time unfolded as a tightly contested battle, with both teams making attempts but unable to break the deadlock. As the clock approached 90 minutes, the score remained deadlocked at 1-1.
The climax ensued with late drama unfolding in the 93rd minute. A cross from Trezeguet found Mustafa, whose shot hit the back of the net, sparking jubilation on the entire bench and even among the injured star player, Mohamed Salah, watching from the stands.
Yet, the narrative took another twist in the dying minutes of additional time. Teixeira’s well-executed shot inside the box, following a quality cross, leveled the scoreline 2-2 for the Blue Sharks, concluding the intense encounter.
The final whistle resonated with a 2-2 draw, securing Egypt the second spot in the group, as Ghana experienced a shock turnaround, squandering a 2-0 lead against Mozambique in another group match. The Pharaohs’ resilience and last-minute heroics have not only propelled them to the last 16 but have also added an unforgettable chapter to the narrative of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations.
