2024 Africa Cup of Nations: Egypt and Ghana Draw 2-2 in Thrilling Encounter
Cairo, Egypt – The 2024 Africa Cup of Nations kicked off with a thrilling 2-2 draw between Egypt and Ghana at the Cairo International Stadium on Thursday, January 18. The match lived up to its billing as one of the most anticipated clashes of the tournament, with both teams fielding star-studded lineups and determined to make a statement in their opening fixture.
Ghana Draw First Blood
Ghana got off to an impressive start, taking the lead in the 12th minute through a stunning goal from forward Jordan Ayew. The Crystal Palace talisman received the ball on the left flank, dribbled past two Egyptian defenders with ease, and unleashed a powerful shot from outside the box that flew into the top corner of the net, leaving goalkeeper Mohamed El Shenawy with no chance.
Egypt Responds with Equalizer
The hosts responded well to the early setback and gradually grew into the game. Their persistence paid off in the 33rd minute when Liverpool winger Mohamed Salah leveled the scores with a clinical finish. The Egyptian captain latched onto a through ball from midfield maestro Mohamed Elneny, raced into the Ghana penalty area, and slotted the ball past onrushing goalkeeper Lawrence Ati-Zigi.
Second Half Drama
The second half witnessed an end-to-end encounter, with both teams creating several scoring opportunities. Ghana came close to retaking the lead in the 55th minute when striker Felix Afena-Gyan rattled the crossbar with a fierce shot from close range. Egypt responded with a chance of their own just minutes later, but Arsenal midfielder Mohamed Elneny’s long-range effort sailed just wide of the post.
Ghana Retakes the Lead
Ghana’s persistence was rewarded in the 72nd minute when substitute Osman Bukari restored their advantage. The Red Star Belgrade forward capitalized on a defensive lapse by the Egyptian backline, raced onto a through ball, and coolly slotted the ball past El Shenawy for his first international goal.
Egypt Salvage a Point
Just when it seemed like Ghana would hold on for a vital victory, Egypt produced a dramatic late equalizer. In the 87th minute, Salah found himself in space on the right flank and whipped in a dangerous cross that found substitute Mostafa Mohamed in the center of the box. The Galatasaray striker rose highest to head the ball into the net, sending the home crowd into raptures.
Full-Time: Egypt 2-2 Ghana
The match ended in a thrilling 2-2 draw, sharing the spoils in a pulsating encounter. Both teams showed glimpses of their potential and will be determined to improve their performances in their subsequent group stage matches.
Post-Match Reaction
Egypt manager Carlos Queiroz expressed his satisfaction with his team’s fighting spirit, saying, “We showed great character to come back from a goal down twice. We have a lot of quality in this team, and I believe we can go far in this tournament.”
Ghana coach Otto Addo was disappointed with the result but praised his players for their efforts, stating, “We played well today and created many chances. Unfortunately, we couldn’t hold on to our lead. We will learn from our mistakes and come back stronger in our next match.”
Upcoming Fixtures
Egypt will face Nigeria in their next Group D match on Tuesday, January 22, while Ghana will take on Sudan on the same day. Both teams will be looking to secure a victory to boost their chances of reaching the knockout stages.
Don’t miss the upcoming matches of the 2024 Africa Cup of Nations, where the best teams in Africa battle it out for continental glory. Catch all the action live on your favorite sports channels and stay updated with the latest news and highlights on our website.