By Daily Sports on September 6, 2021
Substitute Mostafa Mohamed scored a 90th minute equaliser to save Egypt’s blushes as they held Gabon to a 1-1 draw at Stade de Franceville on Sunday night.
Jim Allevinah gave Gabon the lead after 73 minutes, shortly after Egypt were reduced to 10 men following Omar Gaber’s sending-off for receiving a second yellow card.
It seemed the Panthers were on their way to a historic win, but for Mohamed’s last-gasp equaliser.
Egypt now lead Group F on four points, while Gabon had their first point of the campaign.
In the other match in the group’s Match Day 2 action, Angola face Libya in Luanda on Tuesday.
It was a cautious start to the game with both sides trying to control possession.
Egypt had the first shot on target after eight minutes when Mohamed Sherif’s backheel pass found Mohamed “Afsha” Magdy who sent a shot just over the crossbar.
As time passed, Gabon started to find more spaces.
They had their first chance after 18 minutes, when skipper Pierre Emerick Aubameyang tried to find the best of goalkeeper Mohamed Elshennawy, but his shot went wide.
Guelor Kanga’s shot from long range went just wide after 35 minutes.
Sherif tried his luck after a swift counter-attack for Egypt but his shot was high, as the first half ended goalless.
After the break, Gabon were asking more questions, and five minutes into the second half Aaron Boubendza went one on one with Elshennawy who brilliantly saved the situation.
Mario Lemina’s header after a corner-kick threatened Egypt’s defence but went just wide, as the hosts continued to press.
Egypt hopes of a win were dealt a blow when Gaber was sent off for a second bookable offence after 70 minutes.
Just about two minutes later, substitute Jim Allevinah broke the deadlock.
The Clermont Foot forward found his way through Egyptian defence and exchanged a pass with Andre Biyogo Poko before sending a low shot past Elshennawy.
Egypt coach Hossam Elbadry made a number of attacking changes, fielding in strikers Mostafa Mohamed and Salah Mohsen, in the search for a late equaliser.
And both substitutes combined in the last minute to get the desired goal.
From a long pass, Mohsen’s header found Mohamed, whose initial effort was stopped by Gabon’s goalkeeper Anthony Mizwe.
But he followed up with a header powered home to give Egypt a precious away point. (NAN)
•PHOTO: Egyptian saviour Mostafa Mohamed
Source Daily Sports
Posted September 6, 2021
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