AFCON U-23: Hosts Egypt Start On A Winning Note

Egypt got off their campaign on a winning note thanks to a 1-0 win over Mali in the tournament opener played at a packed Cairo Stadium.

The opening 10 minutes proved to be an evenly contested affair in the blistering heat in Cairo, although both sides struggled in their respective final thirds.

Pharaohs’ best chance in the opening exchanges came via a long-range effort from Nasser Maher, as Mostapha Mohamed turned well before firing a snapshot straight at Youssouf Koita.

In the 20th minute, Akram Tawfik could have broken the deadlock but the El Gouana midfielder failed to direct his header on target.

Egypt eventually took the lead five minutes later courtesy of a powerful header from Mostafa Mohammed.

A great ball from Ibrahim Kone to Issouf Traore was headed over the top by the former Djoliba AC man as Mali looked for an immediate response.

On the other side, another incoming set-piece delivery fell to Tawfik, who continued floundering in front of goal, sending his attempt wide in the 39th minute.

Aly Maelle should have given Mali an equalizer just before the halftime break but the forward managed to head wide of the target from point-blank range.

The second stanza did not produce the same tempo as the first with Pharaohs happy to defend their one-goal advantage.

Mohammed almost bagged a brace in the 78th minute but his strike crashed against the post.

Mohammed’s first-half strike was to be the only goal of the game as Mali failed to bypass the Egyptian defence.

How they lined up:

Egypt Starting XI: Mohamed Sobhi, Osama Galal, Ahmed Ramadan, Mohamed Abdel Salam, Ahmed Aboul Fotouh, Akram Tawfiq, Karim Al-Iraqi, Ramadan Sobhi, Naser Maher, Salah Mohsen, Mostafa Mohamed.

Mali Starting XI: Youssouf Koita, Bourama Doumbia, Issouf Traoré, Clement Boubacar Kanouté, Ibrahim Kane, Aliou Dieng, Boubacar Traoré, Aly Mallé, Siaka Bagayoko Chato, El Bilal Touré, Ibrahima Kone

Photo Credit: Reuters