Mohammed Kudus Shines, Mohamed Salah Limps Off As Ghana Draws Egypt

Ghana played to a 2-2 draw against Egypt in the Africa Cup of Nations group stage Thursday. Ghana’s Mohammed Kudus returned from injury and scored two goals for the Black Stars, but the team could not capitalize as Egypt managed to even the score twice during the match. The Pharaohs fought on without Mohamed Salah, who missed the second half with an injury.

After losing to Cape Verde in shocking fashion in the first game of the group stage, Ghana could not afford a loss in their second game. Kudus, the team’s star player, missed the match against Cape Verde after suffering a hamstring injury while playing for West Ham United in the Premier League last month.

Though Kudus was questionable to play right up until the match began, he made an emphatic statement in his return with an early score that put Ghana ahead. Then, in a strange and unfortunate role reversal, Egypt had to grapple with a serious injury of its own after Salah limped off the field with an apparent hamstring injury before the half. The severity of the setback is currently unknown.

Even without their best player, Egypt, seven-time winner of the AFCON, managed to even the score at one in the 61st minute. Kudus struck again in the 71st minute to give Ghana another lead, but it only took three minutes for Egypt to score again and eventually secure the draw.

Through two games, neither Ghana nor Egypt have earned a win in the AFCON Group B stage.

Egypt has two draws, having salvaged another match against Mozambique on a last-second penalty from Salah. The star’s injury update will be a matter of international interest, as the Pharaohs and Liverpool, Salah’s Premier League team, could suffer if he misses time. In the immediate future, Egypt is guaranteed to move on to the knockout stage with a win against Cape Verde in the third Group B match.

Ghana, meanwhile, obviously benefited from Kudus’ return, but are on the brink of elimination in fourth place. With one loss and one draw in Group B, the Black Stars must defeat Mozambique in the third match to have any chance of moving on to the knockout stage.

Article by Patrick Moquin