Mohamed Salah saved Egypt from an embarrassing defeat in their opening Africa Cup of Nations game on Sunday, as he converted a penalty seven minutes into injury time to snatch a 2-2 draw with Mozambique.
The penalty was awarded following a VAR check by the referee for a foul on Mostafa Mohamed in the area at the Felix Houphouet Boigny Stadium in Abidjan.
Salah’s strike denied Mozambique a historic first ever AFCON win.
Mohamed had given record seven-time African champions Egypt the ideal start when he scored inside two minutes of the Group B encounter.
Still, the sapping heat and humidity of a late afternoon kick-off then seemed to get the better of the Pharaohs.
Mozambique, who had not won a match in 12 previous attempts in four past appearances at the Cup of Nations, equalised through Witness Quembo in the 55th minute.
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The game was completely turned on its head as Mozambique scored again three minutes later when Clesio Bauque, on as a half-time substitute, burst through to make it 2-1.
However, the Mambas could not hold on to a famous win as Salah kept his cool at the death.
Group rivals Ghana and Cape Verde meet later in the same stadium.
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