AFCON 2023 Day 6 Reviews: Troost-Ekong spot-kick keeps Eagles’ AFCON hopes alive, as Pharaohs suffer Salah injury

(Made In Africa Sport) – The Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2023 has delivered back-to-back action, and Day 6 was no different. The Super Eagles triumphed over their Ivorian hosts, as captain William Troost-Ekong converted a spot-kick in the 55th minute to secure a 1 – 0 win for Nigeria, after forward Victor Osihmen had been deemed to be fouled by VAR. 

The Super Eagles declared their intent in the opening minutes, as Osihmen skied his first-time effort over the crossbar under pressure. The Elephants picked pace soon after, as Zaidu Sanusi’s pass behind brought goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali under pressure from Christian Kouame. The winger reacted quickly, but Nwabali made himself big enough to prevent a goal.

Sekou Fofana caused chaos from central midfield throughout the first half, but the skipper’s efforts could do nothing about the scoreline. Ousmane Diomande held on to Osihmen for far too long, gifting the Super Eagles a spot-kick which Troost-Ekong was only happy to slam in. The Nigerians were only happy to see the rest of the game off, climbing up to second-place behind Equatorial Guinea who recorded a deserved victory earlier at the Alassane Ouattara Stadium.

The Elephants of Equatorial Guinea were tagged underdogs, but they have shown the stuff of giants, if not champions, as they went on to pile four goals on the Djurtus of Guinea-Bissau. Pablo Ganet played Emilio Nsue through, and the striker did the rest with a beautiful strike to put Equatorial Guinea ahead in the 20th minute. The Djurtus responded in the 36th minute, as Esteban Fernandez of Equatorial Guinea turned Mauro Rodrigues’ cushioned pass beyond his goalkeeper to restore parity.

The second period saw a spike in the game’s intensity, as Joset Miranda punished the Guinea-Bissau defence after the goalkeeper clearance by Jesus Owono unsettled the Djurtus at the backline. Nsue was on hand for a third, as a Basilio Ndong cross escaped Ouparine Djoco’s hands, and the striker could double the advantage for the Elephants. He completed his hattrick ten minutes later, dribbling past Djoco before rolling the ball into the net for a comfortable fourth goal.

Guinea-Bissau looked to cut the deficit, as Ze Turbo latched on to Dalcio Gomes’ cross in the 93rd minute to end the match 4 – 2. The Elephants of Equatorial Guinea now sit atop the Group A standings with 4 points, ahead of the Super Eagles with their goal difference. The Ivorians are in a dicey spot, as they prepare for a clash of Elephants in their final fixture to seal their fate in the AFCON 2023.

Thursday night hosted another clash of giants, as Egypt held Ghana to a 2 – 2 draw at the Felix Houphonet-Boigny stadium. The Pharaohs went behind to a superb Mohammed Kudus strike in the 48th minute, adding that to their list of woes as Mohammed Salah was subbed off with an apparent hamstring that could see him miss the rest of the AFCON fixtures Egypt.

The Pharaohs showed grit to keep fighting, however, as they got an equalizer in the 69th minute after an initial effort had been chalked off for offside. Omar Marmoush was the man of the moment, showing composure and skill to dribble past the Black Stars goalie and roll the ball into the net for a leveller. Mohammed Kudus took matters into his own hands, driving in a curler on his left foot less than a minute after Marmoush’s equalizer to put Ghana in the lead.

The Black Stars were not to claim all three points, though, as the Pharaohs gave it all they had inspite of Salah’s absence to squeeze a draw. Mahmoud Trezeguet battled his way into the box from the left flank to set Mostafa Mohammed for a tap in in the 74th minute. Baba Iddrisu headed wide from a corner in one of the Ghanaians’ attempts for a winner, but none proved effective.

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Egypt have Salah’s injury to worry about now, as the talismanic winger could be out for the rest of the tournament. It will certainly be a rough ride without their star forward. On the other hand, Ghana sit at the bottom of the table in Group B, as they await the results from the Cape Verde versus Mozambique match later today in hopes of qualifying. It could be a scary exit or a marvellous progression for the Black Stars, and much depends on the second Group B fixture.

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