Kudus must hope for a miracle after an unprecedented denouement with goals in 90+1′ and 90+4′
Monday, January 22, 2024 at 11:41 PM
Group B at the African Cup had an unprecedented ending on Monday evening. Mohammed Kudus seemed to be securing the next round against Mozambique with his Ghanaian team, but the Black Stars gave away a seemingly certain victory with goals in minutes 90+1 and 90+4: 2-2. Ghana can only continue as the best number three via an escape route, but that chance seems extremely small: the team has only two points and a negative goal difference.
Cape Verde – Egypt 2-2
Mohamed Salah was injured against Ghana (2-2). The star player and captain of Egypt seems unable to play again this tournament and will soon travel back to Liverpool for his rehabilitation. On Monday, Salah was in the stands to cheer on his team against difficult Cape Verde.
Egypt knew a win was needed to ensure survival from the group stage. However, the North Africans started poorly against Cape Verde and fell behind just before half time. Gilson Tavares, striker of Benfica B, scored nicely from the turn: 1-0.
Mahmoud Hassan – alias Trézéguet – brought Egypt back to the level five minutes after the break with a shot from an awkward angle. The Pharaohs seemed to claim the coveted victory in minutes 90+3 through a goal by Mostafa Mohamed, who cleverly tipped the ball over keeper Vozinha: 1-2. However, it turned out not to be enough, as Cape Verde came alongside again in minutes 90+9. Bryan Teixeira rounded the Egyptian goalkeeper Mohamed El Shenawy in the crowded penalty area and scored: 2-2.
In Cape Verde, born Rotterdammer Garry Rodrigues was in the starting line-up, while Jamiro Monteiro, also born in the Dutch port city, relieved him after an hour of play.
Mozambique – Ghana 2-2
Ghana had only collected one point after two games and therefore urgently needed a win in the final match of Group B. Jordan Ayew gave the Black Stars a comfortable-looking 0-2 lead with two accurate penalties. There seemed to be no problem until Mozambique staged a miraculous comeback in injury time in the second half. Goals in minute 90+1 and 90+4 from Geny Catamo and Reinildo Mandava respectively made the final score 2-2.
Egypt, which was initially disappointed with the 2-2 result against group winner Cape Verde, escaped unscathed. Egypt will certainly advance to the eighth finals of the African Cup as number two, while Ghana will have to wait. Only a miracle can save the number three of Group B. Mozambique ends up at the bottom on goal difference and is eliminated.
2024-01-22 22:41:00
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