Mohammed Salah's late penalty salvaged a point for Egypt who got held by Mozambique to a pulsating 2-2 draw in a crunchy Group B opener at the Félix Houphouët-Boigny Stadium.
The Pharaohs with an explosive start to the team and snatched the lead in just two minutes from kickoff through Mostafa Mohammed- who was assisted by Mohammed Salah.
The Reds still stayed on top of the game throughout halftime with no goal produced again whiles the Mambas were always packed in goal to avoid conceding a second.
In the second half, the Mambas returned on a explosive note- in a way that was completely different from how they started the first half and eventually got the leveller on the 55th minute through Witiness Quembo.
Three minutes later, Mozambique scored again through Clesio Bauque to hand themselves the lead for the first time in the game.
Egypt settled down at some point and nearly scored after Hamdy Fathy was located with a cross in the box but his connection unluckily went off the upright. That was close.
On the 92nd minute, Mostafa Mohammed won a late penalty for Egypt after being fouled by Domingos Macandza. Mohammed Salah stepped up and scored to level the score.
After 90+8 minutes, It finished 2-2 after full time.
Egypt will face Ghana in the second group matches on Thursday, January 18, whiles Mozambique take on Cape Verde the following day.
