Egypt 2-2 Ghana: Pharoahs come back twice to draw with Black Stars despite suffering Salah scare

Mohammed Kudus scored twice, but Ghana twice gave up a lead to draw 2-2 with Egypt in their Africa Cup of Nations Group B match in Abidjan on Thursday, with the latter facing an anxious wait due to Mohamed Salah's injury.

Salah limped out of the game just before halftime with what appeared to be a muscle injury after grabbing the back of his leg following a bursting run. It will have rung alarm bells in Liverpool, too.

Both teams still have work to do to advance to the knockout rounds. Egypt, with Omar Marmoush and Mostafa Mohamed on the scoresheet, has two points from two games and will face pool leaders Cape Verde on Monday.

Ghana has gone a team record six games without a win in the Cup of Nations and has only one point from their two matches. To advance to the knockout stage, they will most likely need to defeat Mozambique in their final pool match.

Salah's fitness for the rest of the tournament could mean the difference between success and failure for an Egypt team that arrived in the Ivory Coast in good shape.

Ghana were stunned by Cape Verde in their pool opener, and while this was a better performance, coach Chris Hughton will be deeply disappointed that they gave up a lead twice in five minutes.

The first half was full of hustle and bustle, but there was little goalmouth action until late in stoppage time.

Kudus picked up the ball 30 yards from goal and created space for a shot, rifling it into the back of the net from the edge of the box.

The North African side increased the pressure after the break and camped in Ghana's half, but their finishing was erratic until they were given a gift.

Inaki Williams' poor back pass found Omar Marmoush, who rounded Richard Ofori in the Ghana goal to score.

Two minutes later the west Africans were back in front as an unsighted Egypt goalkeeper Mohamed El Shenawy could not keep out Kudus’ curling shot from 15 yards.

Egypt had only conceded two goals in a game once in their previous 28 Cup of Nations matches prior to these finals, but they have now done so twice in as many.

The Pharaohs made it three goals in five minutes, however, when Mostafa converted Trezeguet's cut-back from the byline to equalize for the second time and share the points.

SportsLigue