Right, that’s me done for the night. What a wild game, definitely one to remember. Thanks for reading, and for your emails and tweets. Cheers!
Match report
Updated
Ooooof, I’ve just searched for Chris Hughton on X/Twitter/whatever you kids call it these days. It’s not pretty.
It wasn’t a great Ghana performance by any means, and Ghana’s apathy in playing positive attacking football in the second half definitely contributed to greater pressure on their defence. But I’m not sure you can blame the manager for two individual errors (from Iñaki Williams and Osman Bukari) that directly led to both of Egypt’s goals.
Group B table
This is what the 2-2 draw does to the standings. A lot rests on Cape Verde v Mozambique tomorrow (kick-off 2pm GMT). What we can be certain of is that Ghana will need to beat Mozambique in their final match if they want to reach the knockouts.
The top two, plus four best third-placed sides from six groups, go through to the round of 16.
Updated
Kudus is given the player of the match award. Other contenders were Odoi, who had a good game at right back for Ghana, and Egypt’s Marmoush and Ashour. Thought Semenyo was lively, too.
🇬🇭 Mohamed Kudus 🇬🇭
— CAF (@CAF_Online) January 18, 2024
Ghana's starboy is your TotalEnergies Man of the Match with a great brace! 🌟 #TotalEnergiesAFCON2023 | #EGYGHA | @Football2Gether pic.twitter.com/v4f21Wndt8
Really not sure what to make of that game. An injury to Salah and a goal for Kudus aside, it was relatively serene until the 70th minute. Then all hell broke loose.
Ghana played OK but were twice dragged into the lead by the brilliance of Kudus. Egypt were miserable in the first half and sprung into life in the second, without their injured talisman.
It’s the west African side who will feel worse about the result, having twice surrendered their lead.
Full-time: Egypt 2-2 Ghana
That is now six Afcon games without a win for the Black Stars, who are in deep trouble in Group B.
90+7 min: A nervy moment for Egypt at at the death, as El Shenawy flaps at a cross, but the north African side survive.
90+6 min: Really good save by Ofori! Ashour turns beautifully in midfield and found some space for a shot, which was so nearly deflected by Salisu! But Ofori kept his eye on the ball, wasn’t distracted by his own man, and saved well, hanging onto the ball.
90+5 min: Ghana are at least trying to go forward, which is more than you can for most of their second-half ambition. Jordan Ayew releases Semenyo, but El Shenawy cuts out the cross once again.
90+4 min: This game could still go either way. The cameras pan to Ghana fans in the stands, many with their heads in their hands.
90+2 min: If this stays at 2-2, and Cape Verde beat Mozambique in tomorrow’s game, then the former will qualify with a game to spare in Group B. If this stays at 2-2 and Mozambique win, then they will go top!
90 min: Some changes for both teams. Ghana make two, with Bukari withdrawn just 20 minutes or so after coming on. One of the worst performances we’ll see at this Afcon. Paintsil replaces him. Ghana also swap Owusu for Abdul Samed, who leaves the field by slamming a water bottle angrily into the ground. Ghana have twice blown their lead, but you have to give Egypt some credit.
There will be seven minutes added on.
88 min: It’s absolutely mad out there. This game is suddenly bonkers.
86 min: Absolutely brilliant defending from Ashour, who is absolutely everywhere in the closing minutes, tearing around like we’re in the fifth minute. The Egyptian chases down Bukari, blocks the Ghanaian’s cross and retrieves possession, before striding clear to set up a Egypt counter-attack.
Updated
84 min: All the danger for Ghana is coming down their right. Marmoush, Ashour, Mohamed and Trézéguet are causing havoc for Egypt. Ashour dribbles past Kudus and it upended by Salisu in the box, but the referee waves play on.
82 min: Abdul Samed is down, clutching his left knee. It looks like Ghana are going to be forced into another change. Chris Hughton just stands in the technical area with his hands on his hips. He’ll be furious that yet another game has got away from Ghana.
80 min: It’s now Egypt that look the more likely to win this match. You would never have said that at half-time.
78 min: There is no sign of the injured Salah on Egypt’s bench. But if he’s not jumping up and down on the treatment table in the dressing room, I’ll be shocked.
76 min: Another cooling break. I think we all need it.
GOAL! Egypt 2-2 Ghana (Mohamed 74)
What on earth is going on!? After a relatively tepid 70 minutes, we’ve had three goals in four minutes! Again, Ghana’s defending is terrible as the substitute Bakari, just one minute after coming on, has hit pocket picked by Trézéguet. The Egyptian drives to the byline, cuts the ball back into a crowded six-yard box and it’s Mohamed who meets it first, toe poking the ball into the net. We are all square once again!
Updated
74 min: Iñaki Williams, who gave the ball away for Egypt’s equaliser, is hooked for Bukari. It’s been a pretty miserable game for the Bilbao-born man.
GOAL! Egypt 1-2 Ghana (Kudus 72)
Ghana take just a minute to retake the lead! Odoi reaches the byline on the right, cuts a wonderfully disguised ball to Kudus. The West Ham man takes a touch to enter Egypt’s box and unloads another powerful shot. The ball takes a slight deflection and flies past El Shenawy! Ghana retake the lead.
Updated
GOAL! Egypt 1-1 Ghana (Marmoush 71)
You can’t say this goal hasn’t been coming, but what a terrible way for Ghana to concede! Inaki Wiliams plays a woeful back pass to his goalkeeper, Marmoush reads it expertly and rounds Ofori before rolling the ball into the empty net. Game on!
Updated
69 min: Another substitution, this time for Egypt. Elneny comes off for Trézéguet, formerly of Aston Villa.
67 min: A rare Ghana counter attack, as Semenyo latches onto a long ball forward. The Bournemouth man is isolated but cuts inside and aims a rather limp shot at El Shenawy.
65 min: Marmoush canters down the left wing, cuts inside but flashes high and wide. He did the first bit so well, but didn’t get his head up to spot the obvious pass. Either that or Marmoush doesn’t have much faith in Egyptian teammate Mohamed, who was lurking at the back post.
63 min: A change for Ghana. Ashimeru has picked up a knock, so Baba is brought on in his stead.
61 min: Ashour gives Mensah the slip on the right wing and pulls a low cross back towards Mohamed, but Djiku makes a crucial block for Ghana! The West African side just can’t get out of their own half at the moment.
59 min: Back come Egypt! I said Marmoush was the player most likely to force an equaliser and it’s the Eintracht Frankfurt man to tests Ofori with a rasping shot, after shrugging off Abdul Samed on the edge of the box.
57 min: Mostafa Fathi sends Salisu for a hot dog with a lovely bit of skill on the byline, before hanging up a delicious cross towards Mohamed at the back post, but Ghana captain and keeper Ofori comes and claims with authority.
55 min: That disallowed goal, though, has definitely given Egypt a boost. Ghana look a little frenetic for the first time in the match. They are losing the midfield duels and the north African side are applying a bit of pressure.
Updated
53 min: After a lengthy check, Hegazi is ruled offside. No goal for Egypt. It was fairly obvious from the first replay.
Egypt have the ball in the net! Ruled out for offside but VAR are checking …
51 min: Egypt won a free kick and lumped a ball into the box by Marmoush. Hegazi nods back from the byline and there’s an almighty scramble before Abdelmonem puts the ball into an empty net. Will the goal stand?!
50 min: Chance for Ghana! El Shenawy punches well from a Semenyo corner, but the ball comes out to Kudus, who takes a volley on his weaker right foot. It’s not a clean contact, as the ball cannons down off the ground and loops towards the crossbar … just over! El Shenawy was stranded, but Egypt get away with one.
48 min: Based upon the first-half showing, going to be interesting to see how Egypt come back into this one. Marmoush is their only real threat. Mohamed hasn’t showed much in possession and the Egyptian striker bundles Kudus to the ground as he tries to win the ball back.
Peeeeeeep! The second half is underway.
This is how things currently stand in Group B. Cape Verde face Mozambique in their second match tomorrow. Pretty desperate viewing for Egypt.
Cape Verde P1 Pts3
Ghana P2 Pts3
Mozambique P1 Pts1
Egypt P2 Pts1
Updated
Half-time reading:
Two clarifications of note.
I think I undersold the Kudus finish. He picked up an awkward pass, rode the first challenge from behind, created space with a good second touch and sent an brilliant low shot beyond El Shenawy. An absolutely sensational goal. But then he is a sensational player.
Salah looked as though he was clutching the back of his leg on the ground, before going off. I would guess that is a hamstring injury, although can’t be sure.
Half-time: Egypt 0-1 Ghana
What a nightmare couple of minutes for Egypt. They lost Salah to injury and are now one goal behind without their talisman.
GOAL! Egypt 0-1 Ghana (Kudus 45+3)
The Black Stars are ahead! I said that Kudus would take aim tonight from range, and the West Ham man does exactly that. It’s a scrappy attack from Ghana, but the balls bobbles to Kudus, who finds some space on the edge of Egypt’s penalty box, before unleashing a rocket inside the near post! What a strike! Our first real moment of quality, and Ghana are ahead!
Updated
Injury to Mohamed Salah!
45 min: Wow! The Liverpool man falls to the ground, and immediately takes off his strapping. Something is definitely up. He’s not going to be able to continue. It’s not clear what sort of injury Salah has, but the 31-year-old has handed the Egypt armband to Hegazi! Salah is off, replaced by Mostafa Fathi. Salah looks miserable on the bench.
Updated
44 min: Chance for Egypt! A dangerous cross comes in from the right and Marmoush rises at the back post. The Egyptian can’t make contact, though, but the ball falls to Ashour, but the Al Ahly man can only clip a shot straight at Ofori.
42 min: Salah has twice been lucky to get a free kick, deep in his own half, after dawdling on the ball. Abdul Samed is penalised. The Ghana man does need to be careful, he’s on a booking.
40 min: Egypt are struggling with Ghana’s physicality at the back. Salah is dropping deeper and deeper to try and get on the ball. He’s not a happy camper.
38 min: Marmoush, by far Egypt’s best player so far, dribbles past Abdul Samed, who shoulder barges the Egyptian to the ground on Ghana’s right wing. Yellow card for Abdul Samed and a dangerous free kick for Egypt. A disappointing delivery from Marmoush, though. We’re waiting for this game to spark into life.
35 min: Another email from Peter Oh.
“So you think that was abysmal? Try this on for size: I only have two words for this referee Atcho. Bless you!”
32 min: Another cooling break with an injury to Egypt. The cameras haven’t yet shown who it is. But both coaches are getting their feelings across. Neither Rui Vitória or Hughton look happy.
29 min: Chris Hughton looks agitated. Ghana have had the better of it, but neither team have yet to register a shot on target.
27 min: The first of the cooling breaks. It’s around 27°C in Abidjan at present, despite it being 8.30pm local time. Also, around 80% humidity, which Salah was complaining about in Egypt’s first match.
25 min: Shades of Wilfried Zaha in that Jordan Ayew touch, as the current Palace winger flicks it around Abdelmonem, before Hegazi slides in on Semenyo to quell the Ghana attack. Semenyo bottled that tackle, if we’re being honest.
20 min: Salah had some choice words for referee Pierre Ghislain Atcho after that attack. I think Salah wanted a foul on Marmoush, but the Gabonese official was having none of it, screaming back in Salah’s face! Ghislain Atcho threatened to book Salah, who sensibly backed off.
Updated
18 min: I just love the way Marmoush plays. A beautiful cross-field ball from Salah sets up Egypt’s first proper attack, but it’s Marmoush that really makes it. The Eintracht Frankfurt man is just so direct when he gets into his stride, and Marmoush glides past Odoi before a good challenge from Djiku stops the Egyptian.
16 min: Hamdi Fathi is going to have to watch it. The Egypt midfielder is penalised for the second time, this time for careering into Jordan Ayew. The Palace man is so good at winning free-kicks, he must be one of the most fouled players in the Premier League.
14 min: Hamdi Fathi is penalised for fouling Ashimeru and Ghana win a free kick. Jordan Ayew swings it in towards Salisu, but the former Southampton man can’t nod it back towards goal. Looks like he might have got a bop on the head for his troubles too. Salisu, now of Monaco of course, is going to be OK to continue.
12 min: Abdul Samed with a few tricks and midfield for Ghana. The crowd is mainly here for Ghana, which is of course just across the border from Abidjan, and they appreciated that.
8 min: Djiku, the Ghana centre-back, is caught in possession and Mohamed nearly wriggles free, as he moves in on goal. But a series of little nibbles and tugs means Djiku recovers and eventually the Egypt counter attack breaks down.
6 min: A sensational run from Ashimeru, who runs a full 60 yards with the ball, releases Semenyo but the Bournemouth man can’t beat El Shenawy with a dinked effort. Semenyo was actually (correctly) ruled offside but it was mighty close. Ghana the stronger in these opening stages.
Updated
4 min: Kudus takes his first shot from range. It won’t be his last effort of the night for Ghana.
2 min: Ashimeru with a pretty shocking late challenge on Ashour on Egypt’s left flank. It’s the sort of tackle that would automatically be a yellow card if it wasn’t in the game’s opening moments. The Ghana man lucky to get away with one, there.
Peeeeeep! We’re underway.
The teams are out in Abidjan. Delighted to see that West Ham’s Mohammed Kudus is fit enough to face Egypt tonight. The 23-year-old joined the Ghana squad late after suffering a hamstring injury in West Ham’s 2-0 win at Arsenal and didn’t feature against Cape Verde. He’s some talent.
Battle of the Mo's 🌟
— CAF (@CAF_Online) January 18, 2024
🇪🇬✖️🇬🇭
Who comes out on top? 🤔#EGYGHA | #TotalEnergiesAFCON2023 pic.twitter.com/RbaPJ6OU39
An email from Peter Oh.
“Mostafa Mohammed’s roll-and-swivel goal against Mozambique was very nice, especially in contrast to the uncharacteristic Mo Salah fresh-air swipe that immediately preceded it. The Pharaohs will have their work cut out to try to outsmart the Black Stars, who boast Mensa(h)-level brains in their starting XI”.
Mostafa Mohammed’s goal was clinical. Peter’s pun is abysmal, but I still appreciate the email.
A few pre-match snaps, for your viewing pleasure.
In another game earlier today, the former Middlesbrough and Birmingham full-back Emilio Nsue scored a hat-trick as Equatorial Guinea roared to a 4-2 win over Guinea-Bissau. Nsue, now 34 and captaining his national side as well as leading the attack, hit the first treble at an Afcon since 2008.
Here is our report …
… and here are the highlights:
📹 𝗛𝗜𝗚𝗛𝗟𝗜𝗚𝗛𝗧𝗦: 🇬🇶 4-2 🇬🇼
— CAF (@CAF_Online) January 18, 2024
Emilio Nsue Lopez nets a historical hattrick as Equatorial Guinea cruise past Guinea-Bissau! #TotalEnergiesAFCON2023 | #EQGGNB | @Football2Gether
It might seem a little strange that it was William Troost-Ekong, the former Watford centre back (now at PAOK in Greece), took the penalty that helped Nigeria beat hosts Ivory Coast just now, especially in a Super Eagles team with Victor Osimhen, Samuel Chukwueze, Ademola Lookman and Alex Iwobi, among others.
But it was a fine spot kick in front of the home fans. Troost-Ekong is no stranger to a spot kick and also scored in a pressure situation in a 2022 World Cup qualifying play-off against Ghana (although the Black Stars qualified on away goals).
William Troost-E̶k̶o̶n̶g̶ 🤷♂️
— CAF (@CAF_Online) January 18, 2024
William Troost-E𝐊𝐈𝐍𝐆 👑#TotalEnergiesAFCON2023 | #CIVNGR pic.twitter.com/SLrjxXUMC2
The teams!
Egypt: El Shenawy, Kamal, Hegazi, Abdelmonem, Hamdy, Hamdi Fathi, Elneny, Salah, Marmoush, Ashour, Mohamed.
Subs: Gabr, Hany, Trezeguet, Kouka, Kahraba, Fatouh, Attia, Mostafa Fathi, Hamada, Abou Gabal, Zizo, Sobhy.
Ghana: Ofori, Odoi, Djiku, Salisu, Mensah, Ashimeru, Abdul Samed, Semenyo, Kudus, Jordan Ayew, Williams.
Subs: Seidu, Opoku, Andre Ayew, Bukari, Wollacott, Paintsil, Owusu, Ati-Zigi, Amartey, Nuamah, Baba, Sowah.
Updated
Preamble
What a day of Afcon action this is, arguably the biggest day of the tournament so far. Two huge matches between four giants of the continent: Ivory Coast v Nigeria and Egypt v Ghana. The first game is already finished (1-0 to Nigeria) and we will be bringing you the latter here.
Traditionally, all four nations would harbour hopes of bringing home the trophy next month, despite the fact that only one of these four has won any of the last six Afcon tournaments: Ivory Coast in 2015, beating Ghana in the final. However, Morocco and Senegal remain the favourites for this year’s title after both teams romped to a 3-0 wins in their opening group stage games.
How Egypt and Ghana wish they were in the same position. Group B is a tricky one, and has got trickier, with Egypt scrambling to save a 2-2 draw with Mozambique and Ghana falling 2-1 to Cape Verde, the smallest of the 24 teams here, which subsequently led to an angry supporter attempting to strike the Ghana coach Chris Hughton at the team hotel.
Ghana’s defeat means they has won once in the last 10 Afcon games, and the Black Stars will be desperate to avoid a repeat of the first-round exit at the 2022 tournament, which ended with a humiliating defeat to Comoros.
With a record of four wins in 11 matches since taking charge of Ghana last February, Hughton is under enormous pressure to get a result against Egypt. He is expected to be sacked after the tournament, unless there is a huge turnaround in fortunes.
Egypt are in a slightly better position after their draw. Salah remains the talisman but he struggled with the humidity against Mozambique. “The weather in Africa is different; humidity is high and the concentration drops,” he said. “The best thing is that we learn early, so we know our mistakes before the crucial rounds, like the quarter-finals or the round of 16.”
The north African side reached the final last time around, but were not at their free-flowing best, and there are serious concerns that head coach Rui Vitória, who is one of the biggest earners here with his $2.4m salary, is not getting the best out of a talented squad that includes and former Premier League players Trézéguet and Ahmed Hegazi.
It’s a massive game. Join me.
Kick-off: 8pm GMT (also in Abidjan).
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