Egypt vs Mozambique: Fans Divided as Salah's Egypt's Awarded Penalty at Stoppage Time at AFCON

Egypt vs Mozambique: Fans Divided as Salah's Egypt's Awarded Penalty at Stoppage Time at AFCON

Fred Kennedy
updated at January 15, 2024 at 5:04 AM
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  • Egypt vs Mozambique AFCON clash ended in a 2-2 draw in Abidjan
  • Mo Salah scored a late penalty to secure a point for The Pharaohs
  • Egypt will be playing Ghana in their next Group B fixture on Thursday

A decision by the referee to award a penalty in the dying minutes of Egypt's Africa Cup of Nations clash against Mozambique has sparked reactions.

The two teams faced off in their Group B opener on Sunday evening, January 14, at Stade Felix Houphouet-Boigny.

Mohamed Salah Salah in action during the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations group stage match between Egypt and Mozambique. Photo by Ulrik Pedersen.
Mohamed Salah Salah in action during the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations group stage match between Egypt and Mozambique. Photo by Ulrik Pedersen.
Source: Getty Images

According to The Evening Standard, The Pharaohs had a bright start to the match after they took an early lead through Mostafa Mohamed.

However, Mozambique sprung an epic comeback to take a 2-1 surprise lead after two quick-fire goals from Witi and Clesio Bauque in the 55th and 58th minutes, respectively.

The Chiquinho Conde-tutored side held firm to the lead and looked on course to bag the three points.

However, Egypt scored the equaliser at stoppage time via the penalty spot, with Liverpool ace Mohamed Salah stepping up to convert.

BBC reports that the north African football powerhouse were awarded the penalty after the intervention of VAR adjudged Mozambique defender Domingos Macandza committed a foul in the box.

The 2-2 draw denied Mozambique the opportunity to record their first-ever AFCON win.

Fans divided on penalty awarded

The penalty awarded at the death sparked mixed reactions from fans online, with some contending it was a soft one.

@lillalola_ posted:

"That was no daamn penalty."

@Yaw__Amponsah pointed out:

"Cheap foul that could have been avoided."

@Quexi_ben added:

"Clear penalty. The defender make a big big mistake."

@Cynthia74216681 concluded:

"He should have been carded not penalty."

Meanwhile, Mozambique will be hoping to record another positive result when they face Cape Verde in their next group fixture set for Friday, January 19.

On their part, Egypt will be coming up against Ghana on Thursday, January 18.

Senegal arrives for AFCON in style

Sports Brief also reported that defending African champions, Senegal arrived in Ivory Coast in crisp style ahead of the defence of their Africa Cup of Nations title.

Led by Al-Nassr star, Sadio Mane, the team touched down in Abidjan in the early hours of Wednesday morning.

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Fred Kennedy
Editor - Europe Team