Softfootball understands that Egypt booked their place within the quarter-finals of the Africa Cup of Nations after seeing off a cussed Benin facet 3-1 after further time, a outcome that additionally stretched the Pharaohs’ unbeaten head-to-head run towards the Cheetahs to 5 matches.
Given how each groups crawled by means of the group stage, expectations had been already low coming into this tie, and the opening 45 minutes did little to alter that feeling.
Egypt, who not too long ago performed a goalless draw with Angola following a 1-0 victory towards South Africa, did look the extra organised facet early on.
Inside eight minutes, Omar Marmoush discovered himself clear by means of on aim after a neat go cut up the Benin defence, however as a substitute of pulling the set off, he hesitated, permitting goalkeeper Marcel Dandjinou to hurry out and snuff out the hazard. It was a second that summed up the half: promise, however no finish product.
Benin had been clearly set as much as survive reasonably than assault, and their offensive output earlier than the break was virtually non-existent. Their solely actual spotlight got here from a speculative Junior Olaitan free kick that was comfortably gathered by Mohamed El Shenawy.
Egypt threatened once more simply earlier than the interval when Marmoush poked a unfastened ball goalwards from shut vary, but the hassle lacked energy and was blocked earlier than it may trigger critical bother.
After the restart, Benin confirmed a bit extra braveness. Shortly after the hour mark, substitute Jodel Dossou was performed by means of on aim, however El Shenawy reacted shortly, charging off his line to disclaim the winger from point-blank vary.
It felt like a warning signal, however Egypt quickly responded. Within the 69th minute, a pull-back from the byline discovered Marwan Attia on the sting of the field, and he unleashed a thunderous first-time strike into the top-left nook. The aim sparked wild celebrations and appeared decisive on the time.
Nonetheless, Benin refused to vanish quietly. With seven minutes left in regular time, Dossou was alert to pounce on a rebound from only a few yards out, forcing the ball dwelling and dragging the match into further time. For a second, Egypt appeared shaken, possibly even nervous.
CAF shared a video by way of their official X account of Benin celebrating their aim.
Watch the video under:
That nervousness eased seven minutes into further time when Attia turned supplier, floating a cross into the field for Yasser Ibrahim, whose looping header sailed over Dandjinou and into the online. From there, Benin’s resistance pale. Deep into added time, Mohamed Salah completed off a counterattack to seal the win and settle any remaining nerves.
Egypt now strikes on to face both Ivory Coast or Burkina Faso, realizing they’re simply three wins away from lifting the AFCON trophy for the primary time since 2010. Not flawless, not at all times convincing, however they’re nonetheless standing, and typically that’s all that issues.
