Benin’s Olivier Verdon in motion with Egypt’s Emam Ashour. Picture: REUTERS
AGADIR:
Yasser Ibrahim’s very good header and Mohamed Salah’s breakaway strike earned document seven-time champions Egypt a hard-fought 3-1 extra-time victory over Benin within the Africa Cup of Nations spherical of 16 on Monday.
Egypt led after 69 minutes by way of an excellent 25-metre strike from Marwan Attia, however Benin compelled the sport into a further half-hour once they equalised late on by way of Jodel Dossou.
Defender Ibrahim scored his first worldwide objective on 97 minutes when he met Attia’s cross with a header from 15 yards that looped into the highest nook of the web, and Salah raced clear so as to add the third with the final kick of the sport.
“It was a really troublesome match, Benin are a tricky opponent,” Egypt coach Hossam Hassan stated. “We’re mentally ready to play for 90 minutes or additional time. I’ve confidence in my crew and my employees, particularly the medical crew, for a correct restoration of the gamers earlier than the following match.”
Benin’s vitality and never-say-die spirit stood up effectively to Egypt’s extra composed artistry.
Omar Marmoush was put by way of one-on-one with Benin goalkeeper Marcel Dandjinou however delayed his shot too lengthy and the gloveman was capable of make the save at his ft.
Egypt went nearer when Marmoush poked the unfastened ball goalwards however defender Yohan Roche cleared the ball off the road.
Attia on course
Egypt lastly broke the impasse when the ball got here to Attia exterior the field and he curled his shot into the highest nook.
Benin equalised with eight minutes remaining in regular time although and there was a contact of excellent fortune about it.
Junior Olaitan’s cross from the precise took a depraved deflection off Ahmed Fatouh and though Egypt goalkeeper Mohamed El Shenawy made an excellent save, Dossou bundled the ball over the road from shut vary.
After Ibrahim had restored Egypt’s benefit, Salah raced clear within the 124th minute and produced a sometimes composed end as he beat the back-pedalling keeper from 25 metres.
“Once you take the person skills of the Egyptians, it isn’t the identical (as Benin),” Benin coach Gernot Rohr stated. “Particularly since our greatest striker (Steve Mounie) was lacking. In a match like this, he would have helped us so much.”
Egypt left again Mohamed Hamdi was substituted at halftime, and his coach Hassan stated he might have suffered a critical knee damage.
Not amongst AFCON favorites
Egypt ahead Mohamed Salah stated his crew was not among the many favorites to win the Africa Cup of Nations title, however insisted they’d give their greatest to go deeper within the event in Morocco.
Liverpool ahead Salah scored the third objective to safe Egypt’s spot within the quarter-finals with a hard-fought 3-1 extra-time victory over Benin on Monday.
Hossam Hassan’s aspect are bidding to win the title for the primary time since 2010 and a document eight occasions total.
“I do not assume we’re a favorite in any respect (to win the title)” Salah informed reporters.
“We have now younger gamers, and most of them play in Egypt. We simply combat for our nation… however all people provides their greatest and you possibly can see at present”.
The 33-year-old stated there have been no simple video games in AFCON.
“The extent is sort of comparable, I informed the crew yesterday that no aspect loses by 4 or 5 objectives. (Benin) have an excellent crew and an excellent coach… I am glad we managed to win in the long run”.
Salah has scored 10 objectives in 22 video games within the AFCON, two fewer than Hassan El-Shazly, Egypt’s all-time high scorer within the event and one fewer than his present coach Hassan.
Egypt will face defending champions Ivory Coast or Burkina Faso within the quarter-finals in Agadir on Saturday.
