By Michael Madyira
A Mohammed Kudus brace and Mohamed Salah’s injury were the major highlights as Egypt twice came from behind to force a 2-2 draw in this Group B match at Stade Felix Houphouet-Boigny.
The Black Stars were undone by defensive blunders that gifted Egypt two free goals after Kudus had first broken the deadlock in the first-half’s stoppage time.
But Inaki Williams’ stray back pass fell into the path of Omar Marmoush who made it 1-1 for Egypt on 69 minutes.
Kudus restored Ghana’s lead in the 71st minute before the Pharaohs hit back three minutes later but this time through Mostafa Mohamed who profited from some slack defending.
Despite gaining a point, Ghana remain rooted at the bottom of Group B even with Cape Verde and Mozambique set to play on Friday.
It was another 2-2 draw for Egypt who recorded the same scoreline against Mozambique and are second on the table.
After missing out on the 2-1 defeat by Cape Verde, Kudus was back while Williams made it into the starting line-up but Andre Ayew was an unused substitute.
Egypt coach Rui Vitoria dropped Zizo and the Zamalek midfielder never came off the bench.
It was a thrilling contest from the first whistle, marked by some fast exchanges although goals did not easily come by.
The Pharaohs then suffered a massive blow when they lost their starman Salah to injury on the brink of halftime.
Soon after Salah went out, Kudus struck, shrugging off some desperate challenge from Egypt defenders.
But Williams’s attempt of a back pass gave the North Africans a chance to pull one back before Kudus reclaimed the lead for Ghana.
Ghana’s defensive frailties came to the fore again when Trezeguet weaved his way past his markers from the left flank and squared the ball to Mohamed who squeezed past two unalert defenders.
Pictured above: Ghana forward Mohammed Kudus shoots at goal while under the challenge of Egypt midfielder Hamdi Fathy.
Image source: Ghana Football Association
