Last Minute Equaliser Saves 10-man Egypt At Gabon

Substitute Mostafa Mohamed scored a 90th minute equalizer to save Egypt blushes as they held Gabon to a 1-1 draw at Stade de Franceville in Gabon on Sunday night.

It was a cautious start to the game with both sides trying to control possession. Egypt had the first shot on target after 8 minutes when Mohamed Sherif’s backheel pass found Mohamed “Afsha” Magdy who sent a shot just over the crossbar.

Gabon started to find space, and had their first chance after 18 minutes when skipper Pierre Emerick Aubameyang tested goalkeeper Mohamed Elshennawy, but his shot went wide. Guelor Kanga’s shot from long range went just wide after 35 minutes. Sherif tried his luck after a swift counter attack for Egypt but his shot was high, as the first half ended goalless.

Five minutes after the break, Gabon almost took the lead when Aaron Boubendza went one -on-one with Elshennawy who brilliantly saved. Mario Lemina’s header after a corner kick threatened Egypt’s defense but went just wide, as the hosts continued to press.

Egypt hopes were dashed when Omar Gaber was sent off for a second bookable offense after 70 minutes. And just two minutes later, substitute Jim Allevinah broke the deadlock.

Allevinah found his way through Egyptian defense and exchanged the ball with Andre Biyogo Poko before sending a low shot past Elshennawy.

Egypt coach Hossam Elbadry made number of attacking changes after going behind, fielding strikers Mostafa Mohamed and Salah Mohsin as he tried to find a late equalizer.

Both substitutes combined in the last minute to give the Egyptians something to smile about. From a long pass, Mohsen’s header found Mohamed, whose initial effort was stopped by Gabon’s goalkeeper Anthony Mizwe. However, he followed the rebound with a header to give Egypt a precious goal.

It seemed the Panthers were on their way to a historic home win, but for Mohamed’s last gasp equaliser.

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Egypt tops Group F on 4 points, while Gabon recorded their first point of the campaign. Angola faces Libya in Luanda on Tuesday.

CAF World Cup Qualification results

Rwanda 1-1 Kenya

Gabon 1-1 Egypt

Togo 0-1 Namibia

Chidi Nwoke/CAF.