Egypt’s Mohamed Salah (#10) shakes hands with Egypt defender Ramy Rabia (#5) after his side’s Africa Cup of Nations last 16 win over Benin. Picture: FRANCK FIFE / AFP Mohamed Salah sealed an extra time win for Egypt against Benin on Monday to take the Pharaohs through to the quarterfinals of the Africa Cup of Nations, before Victor Osimhen netted twice as Nigeria cruised to an emphatic victory in their last-16 clash with Mozambique. Captain Salah scored after 124 minutes to clinch a 3-1 extra-time triumph for the Egyptians over plucky minnows Benin in a thrilling last-16 encounter in Agadir.
Egypt’s tally of seven AFCON titles is more than any other country but the last of those victories came in 2010 and Liverpool superstar Salah has never picked up a winner’s medal in the competition. Marwan Attia put the Pharaohs ahead on 69 minutes, sidefooting superbly into the roof of the net from just outside the box after being set up by Mohamed Hany. Benin lie 57 places below Egypt in the world rankings but they forced extra time by equalising in the 83rd minute when Jodel Dossou scored from close range after goalkeeper Mohamed El Shenawy had done superbly to palm a Mohamed Tijani cross away from his line.
To extra time they went, with Egypt looking to avoid a repeat of 2024 when they were eliminated in the last 16 on penalties by the Democratic Republic of Congo. Yasser Ibrahim headed Egypt back in front seven minutes into the extra period, before Salah ended any doubt about the outcome on the breakaway right at the end with his third goal at the tournament. Egypt will now stay in Agadir to face title-holders Ivory Coast or Burkina Faso on Saturday in the quarter-finals.
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“Before the game, I said there are no easy teams, and Benin were tough opponents. Egypt are a great team and I want to make my people happy,” said Pharaohs coach Hossam Hassan. Osimhen grabbed a brace and Ademola Lookman played a part in all the goals as Nigeria comprehensively beat Mozambique 4-0 on a rainy night in Fes. Atalanta forward Lookman, a former winner of the African footballer of the year award like Osimhen, opened the scoring after 20 minutes from an Akor Adams assist.
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