Egypt Through to AFCON Last 16 after1-0 Win over Sudan

This evening, Egypt qualified to the round of 16 of the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) after securing a narrow 1-0 victory over Sudan in the final matchday of the group stages.

Following a defeat to Nigeria in the opening game, Egypt put their AFCON campaign back on track with a tough victory over Guinea-Bissau, thanks to Mohamed Salah’s winner.

Sitting second on the group, the Pharaohs knew that a win would confirm their spot in the knockout rounds, while a draw could still be enough if Guinea-Bissau fail to beat Nigeria.

Looking for nothing but the win, Carlos Queiroz made just one change to his starting XI as Mohamed Abdelmonem replaced the injured Mahmoud Hamdy El-Wensh.

The Pharaohs looked dangerous from the start and created several chances through Mohamed Salah, Abdallah El-Said, Mostafa Mohamed, and Mohamed Elneny.

However, the first clear-cut chance came in the 32nd minute when a corner taken by Abdallah El-Said was met by a powerful header by Mostafa Mohamed, but the Galatasaray striker was denied with a ping save by the keeper.

In the 36th minute, another corner was taken by Abdallah El-Said and this time it found defender Mohamed Abdelmoniem, whose header on the edge of the six-yard box found the back of the net.

The goal marked Abdelmoniem’s first international goal in his only fifth game for Egypt as the 22-year-old starting to establish himself as one of the country’s best defenders.