Salah Clinches Egypts Victory While Osimhen Propels Nigeria to Africa Cup Quarters
Mohamed Salah netted in extra time to secure a win for Egypt against Benin on Monday, propelling the Pharaohs into the quarter finals of the Africa Cup of Nations, prior to Victor Osimhen scoring a double as Nigeria dominated their last sixteen match against Mozambique with a convincing triumph.
Skipper Salah found the target after 124 minutes to seal a 3 to 1 extra time success for the Egyptians versus resilient underdogs Benin in an exciting last sixteen showdown in Agadir.
Egypt boasts a record seven AFCON triumphs, more than any other nation, though their most recent success was in 2010, and Liverpool ace Salah has yet to claim a winners medal in the event.
Marwan Attia gave the Pharaohs the lead on 69 minutes, volleying brilliantly into the top corner from the edge of the area following a pass from Mohamed Hany.
Benin sit 57 positions lower than Egypt in global rankings, yet they pushed the game into extra time by levelling in the 83rd minute via Jodel Dossou tapping in from near the goal line after keeper Mohamed El Shenawy expertly deflected a Mohamed Tijani delivery clear.
Into extra time it extended, with Egypt aiming to sidestep a repeat of 2024 when they exited in the last sixteen via penalties to the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Yasser Ibrahim nodded Egypt ahead again seven minutes into the additional period, then Salah dispelled all uncertainty on the counter attack near the finish with his third strike of the tournament.
Egypt remain in Agadir to confront defending champions Ivory Coast or Burkina Faso come Saturday in the quarter finals.
"Prior to kick off, I noted that no sides are straightforward, and Benin proved challenging foes. Egypt possess a strong squad and I aim to bring joy to my supporters," commented Pharaohs manager Hossam Hassan.
Super Eagles Shine
Osimhen bagged a pair and Ademola Lookman contributed to every goal as Nigeria thoroughly defeated Mozambique 4 to 0 during a wet evening in Fes.
Atalanta striker Lookman, a past African footballer of the year recipient like Osimhen, broke the deadlock after 20 minutes courtesy of an assist from Akor Adams.
Osimhen began the match sans his signature mask but donned it again before converting Nigerias second on 25 minutes, latching onto a Lookman cross from the left relayed by Adams.
The Galatasaray marksman then added another from a further Lookman supply shortly after the interval, marking his third goal across three outings following seven AFCON showings without scoring.
Lookman assisted once more as Sevilla forward Adams blasted in the fourth with a quarter hour remaining, with the Super Eagles achieving the largest margin in an AFCON knockout since Egypt thrashed Algeria 4 to 0 in the 2010 semi finals in Angola.
"I feel delighted. The squad delivered a solid showing, netting four times. Plenty to celebrate. Fingers crossed we maintain the momentum," remarked Lookman, awarded man of the match.
Mozambique exit the tournament, yet this Africa Cup stands as a milestone for them having advanced to the knockout rounds for the first time ever.
Keen to compensate for missing World Cup qualification, Nigeria progress to a last eight encounter on Saturday in Marrakesh versus either Algeria or DR Congo.
Those outfits meet in Rabat for the last sixteen on Tuesday, and a DR Congo win there would give Nigeria an opportunity to settle the score from their November World Cup qualifying play off penalty loss to the Leopards.
The remaining last sixteen fixtures occur on Tuesday, pitting Algeria against the Congolese ahead of the Ivorians facing regional rivals Burkina Faso in Marrakesh.