In a thrilling start to the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) on Sunday, Egypt fought back to secure a 2-2 draw against Mozambique. The match began with Mostafa Mohamed giving Egypt an early lead, but Mozambique quickly responded with two goals of their own to take control of the game. It wasn’t until a late penalty, skillfully converted by Mohamed Salah, that Egypt was able to restore balance.
Increasing Criticism of Egypt’s Performance
Despite the draw, Egypt’s performance has faced widespread criticism. One of the most vocal critics has been former Egyptian player, Gomaa, who expressed considerable dissatisfaction with the team’s performance in a post-match interview on beIN Sports. Gomaa’s main critique focused on the team’s defensive displays, particularly their failure to provide support at the back and the lack of midfield reaction from coach Rui Vitoria.
Defensive Errors Under Investigation
Gomaa specifically singled out center-backs Ahmed Hegazi and Mohamed Abdelmonem for their lackluster defensive efforts. He warned that these defensive mistakes could have serious consequences when facing stronger teams in the tournament. Gomaa further condemned the overall performance against Mozambique, considering them the weakest team in the group.
Mounting Pressure on Egypt
As one of the favorites to win the tournament, Egypt is under immense pressure. Gomaa believes that the draw against Mozambique does not bode well for the team’s prospects. He also stated that failure to reach the semi-finals would be considered a significant disappointment for the national team. Egypt’s next challenge will be a Group B match against Ghana, where they will be eager to recover from this initial setback.
