A Mozambique side spearheaded by a fifth-tier German striker nearly took out the seven-time continental champions on Sunday night in Abidjan. Only a Mohammed Salah penalty deep in second half injury time enabled the Pharaohs to salvage a draw.
The favored Egyptians took an early 1-0 lead via a goal from Mostafa Mohamed in the 2nd. The West African Mambas still threatened to equalize during the first half, taking advantage of sloppy passing in the Egyptian build-up-play to rattle off some promising counters. The underdogs would equalize ten minutes after the restart when lax Egyptian defending allowed winger Witi to head home the 1-1 in the 55th.
Three minutes after that, Mozambique struck again to take a sensational lead. Halftime substitute Clesio Bauque kept his nerve in front of goal following a lovely pinpoint pass from his midfield teammate Guima. Ratifo – not directly involved in either of the goals – exited the match in the 66th. Incidentally, Marmoush was introduced in the very same minute.
Egypt’s pursuit of an equalizer produced nothing until goal-scorer Mohammed drew the penalty at 90+3. Salah converted the 2-2 after a lengthy VAR review. Marmoush managed much more in his relief shift than Ratifo did in his start. The Eintracht professional garnered 20 touches, went on four long dribbles, sent in two crosses from the left, and unleashed one shot on target.
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