In an exciting 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 responded with two goals, taking control of the game. It was only a late penalty, skillfully converted by Mohamed Salah, that allowed Egypt to level the score.
Criticism Mounts over Egypt’s Performance
Despite the draw, Egypt’s performance received widespread criticism. Former Egyptian player, Gomaa, was the most vocal critic, expressing his significant dissatisfaction with the team’s performance in a post-match interview on beIN Sports. He focused his criticism on the team’s defensive display, specifically their failure to provide support in defense and the lack of midfield reaction from coach Rui Vitoria.
Defensive Weaknesses Under Scrutiny
Gomaa singled out center-backs Ahmed Hegazi and Mohamed Abdelmonem for their lackluster defending. He warned that these defensive errors could have serious consequences against stronger opponents in the tournament. Gomaa further criticized Egypt’s overall performance against Mozambique, a team he considers the weakest in the group.
Pressure Builds on Egypt
As one of the tournament favorites, Egypt faces immense pressure. Gomaa believes that the draw against Mozambique does not bode well for the team’s chances. He added that failing to reach the semi-finals would be seen as a significant failure for the national team. Egypt’s next challenge is a Group B match against Ghana, where they will be eager to recover from this initial setback.
