Giants seem to be slumbering as the quartet of Egypt, Cameroon, Nigeria and Algeria were held by their respective opponents in their African Cup of Nations AFCON 2023 opener.
Nigeria missed great chance in Group A
Super Eagles of Nigeria were the first in action of the reputable trio. The three time winners of the tournament were held an Equatorial Guniea, inspired by their Goalkeeper Jesus Owono on Sunday.
It was The National Thunder who took the lead as Iban Salvador fired a well-placed shot past Nigeria Goalkeeper Stanley Nwabili just six minutes after the half-hour mark.
Nigeria were back on level terms two minutes later. Victor Osimhen rose highest to head home a Lookman Ademola cross into the back of the net.
The Napoli striker and current CAF Men’s Player of the Year award winner had a couple of chances more to give his country the winnner but was denied time and again by Owono, who was awarded the Player of the Match award for his performance.
It is the first time in history that the Super Eagles has failed to win against Equatorial Guinea, having won each of their three meetings prior to Sunday’s fixture.
A disappointing result for the Super Eagles, led by Portuguese tactician Jose Peseiro. Nigeria faces host Ivory Coast on Thursday before their final group game against Guinea-Bissau on Monday.
Late penalty saved Egypt’s blushes
Mohamed Salah converted a late penalty to help the record winners, Egypt steal a late point against a determined Mozambique side.
It was the Pharoahs who took the lead with the fastest goal so far in Ivory Coast as Mostafa Mohamed quickly reacted and fired the ball home after Mohamed Salah’s poor touch with just less than two minutes into the game.
Despite taking a 1-0 lead into the break, the Egyptian were already behind two minutes before the hour-mark. Witi and Clesio Bauque both scored in the 55th and 58th minutes respectively to turn the game on its head.
In an attempt to clear his area, Domingos Macandza kicked Mostafa Mohamed, handing Egypt a lifeline from the penalty spot one minute into added time.
After much delay due to VAR review, the penalty decision stood and Mohamed Salah converted, sending the Goalkeeper the wrong way to salvage a point for the eight time winner.
Up next for Egypt is Ghana, who fall to a 2-1 defeat to Cape Verde.
Cameroon denied by 10man Guinea
Although the Indomitable Lions conceded an early goal as Mohamed Bayo fired home from inside of the box ten minutes into the game to give the National Elephants the lead, a late first half red card to Francois Kamano presented the five time winners a great chance for a comeback.
Cameroon made the number advantage count six minutes after the interval. Georges-Kevin N’Koudou sent in an inviting cross from the left, and it was attacked with intent by Toulouse striker Frank Magri to restore parity.
Neither of the sides could fine an inspiration from anywhere for a winner as it ended all square in the Charles Konan Banny Stadium in Yamoussoukro.
Algeria pegged back by Angola
2019 winner Algeria took the lead inside the opening 20 minutes in Bouake thanks to a cool finish from Baghdad Bounedjah, instigated by a much better pass from Mohamed Youcef Belali.
Nabil Bentaleb was penalized for a foul in the box five minutes after the hour-mark and Job Mabululu converted the resulting penalty to level matters for the Black Antelopes.
Other top Guns in the AFCON
Defending Champions Senegal stormed to a convincing 3-0 win over The Gambia thanks to a Lamine Camara brace and an Idrissa Gana Gueye’s fourth minute opener.
Ghana’s Black Stars had a start to forget as they were humbled by Cape Verde in Abidjan. Jamiro Monteiro and Garry Rodrigues scored in either half between an Alexander Djiku’s goal earned Cape Verde a massive win, which sends them to the top in Group B.
AFCON games continue on Tuesday with Burkina Faso first taking on Mauritania followed by Tunisia-Namibia. Mali against South Africa is the final game of the day.
