Egypt's National Team Starts AFCON 2023 with a 2-2 Draw Against Mozambique

Egypt's national football team, under Rui Vitoria, commenced their journey in the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Côte d'Ivoire with a 2-2 draw against Mozambique. The match, which took place on Sunday, was part of the first round of the tournament's opening matches.

The Pharaohs' lineup featured Mohamed El-Shenawy in goal, with a defensive squad comprising Mohamed Hany, Ahmed Hegazi, Mohamed Abdel Monem, and Mohamed Hamdi. The midfield was anchored by Mohamed Elneny, Hamdi Fathi, and Ahmed Zizo, while the attack was led by Mohamed Salah, Trezeguet, and Mostafa Mohamed.

Egypt initiated the game with an aggressive offensive strategy, applying pressure on the Mozambican players. In just the second minute, Mostafa Mohamed opened the scoring with a powerful shot that found the back of the net. The team continued to create opportunities, with Mostafa Mohamed nearly doubling the lead in the 10th minute following an assist from Mohamed Salah. However, his shot was thwarted by the Mozambican goalkeeper.

Mozambique's player Witness had a chance to equalize in the 18th minute amidst a defensive scramble in Egypt's penalty area. His shot, however, went just wide of Mohamed El-Shenawy's goalpost. Egypt's Mahmoud Trezeguet also came close to scoring, but his attempt hit the right post, narrowly missing a second goal for the Pharaohs.

This draw reflects the competitive nature of the Africa Cup of Nations, a tournament renowned for its unpredictability and showcasing some of the best talents in African football. For Egypt, a team with a rich history in the tournament, this result is a wake-up call as they aim to add to their record number of seven AFCON titles.