AFCON 2023: Mohamed Salah Involved in Heated Exchange with Referee Over Penalty Call

• Mohamed Salah lasted just 45 minutes against Ghana on January 18
• The Egyptian superstar went off injured in a big blow to the Pharaohs
• He was also involved in a confrontation with match official Pierre Atcho

The Egypt versus Ghana Africa Cup of Nations clash on Thursday, January 18, had all the makings of a classic.

From goals to passion to mistakes, the game had almost everything as two of Africa’s heavyweights clashed for a chance to take three points in Group B.

The passion from both sets of players was there for all to see, with tempers threatening to boil over at multiple instances.

One particular incident in the first half caught the eye of fans involving Liverpool superstar, Mohamed Salah and match referee, Pierre Atcho.

The Egyptian was apparently upset by what he believed should have been a penalty in his nation's favour in the 18th minute after Eintracht Frankfurt forward, Omar Marmoush was seemingly felled in the box.

Davide Frattesi: Inter Milan star goes crazy after scoring stoppage time winner for his team; Video

Football

The referee, however, deemed it an infringement by the Pharaohs and handed Ghana a free kick, sending Salah to a mini-meltdown, as seen on social media.

Angered by the decision, he berated the referee who, instead of letting the incident slide, stood his ground and barked back at the Liverpool superstar.

The two went at each other in a verbal spat in full glare of cameras, before the ref eventually stepped away. Cameras then panned onto Salah, who was still complaining but was lucky not to receive a booking for dissent.

Salah walks off injured

Egypt was then dealt a blow as Salah went off the field with what looked like a muscle injury. He was replaced by Mostafa Fathi, per Sky Sports.

It was not entirely clear what led to the 31-year-old requesting a substitution, but he was in obvious discomfort towards the end of the first half.

AFCON 2023: Mohamed Salah could be deployed in unfamiliar role for Egypt

Football

Ghana and Egypt clash at AFCON 2023

Moments after Salah’s injury, it got worse for the Pharaohs as Ghana opened the scoring through a beautiful strike by West Ham man, Mohammed Kudus.

The seven-time AFCON champions got back in the game in the 69th minute as Inaki Williams’ horror back pass from near the halfway line was stolen by Omar Marmoush, who rounded the goalkeeper before slotting home the equaliser.

The Black Stars took the lead once again as Kudus completed his brace with another beautiful strike after a clever cut-back from Denis Odoi. However, the Black Stars were their own worst enemies as they switched off yet again three minutes later to allow Egypt back in the game.

Trezeguet won the ball off substitute, Osman Bukari and squared it for Mostafa Mohamed, who poked in another equaliser for Egypt.

Despite both teams’ best efforts neither could find a winner as they settled for a point which suited neither side in the grand scheme of things.

VAR drama as China held at Asian Cup, Australia cruise

Football

Egypt versus Ghana share AFCON spoils

Sports Brief also reported on Egypt versus Ghana at AFCON 2023 ending in a draw as the Black Stars' hopes of advancing hang in tatters.

The West Africans' clash against Mozambique now becomes a must-win encounter and Ghana will hope other group-stage results go their way.