AFCON 2025: SALAH SECURES LAST-16 VICTORY FOR EGYPT AGAINST BENIN

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By: Balogun Ibrahim

Captain Mohamed Salah scored in the 124th minute to secure a 3–1 extra-time victory for Egypt over resilient Benin in an Africa Cup of Nations last-16 clash in Agadir on Monday.

Marwan Attia had given the Pharaohs the lead in the second half before Jodel Dossou equalised for the Cheetahs, forcing the match into an additional 30 minutes in the southern Moroccan coastal city.

Yasser Ibrahim restored Egypt’s lead with a header early in extra time, and Salah then broke through to beat goalkeeper Marcel Dandjinou from outside the area, marking his 10th AFCON goal.

Salah, who has scored crucial goals for Liverpool in numerous trophy-winning campaigns, is chasing his first AFCON winners’ medal after finishing as runner-up twice.

Record seven-time champions Egypt will remain in Agadir to face either title-holders Ivory Coast or Burkina Faso in the quarter-finals on Saturday.

Egypt made 10 changes to the team that drew with Angola in their final group match a week ago, retaining only midfielder Ibrahim Adel.

Several other AFCON teams, already assured of progressing to the knockout stage with a game to spare, took a similar approach, fielding line-ups largely made up of reserve players.

Benin were without captain and former Premier League striker Steve Mounie, who was sidelined due to an undisclosed illness.

Egypt came close to taking the lead just eight minutes into the match through Omar Marmoush, the 26-year-old who joined Manchester City from Eintracht Frankfurt earlier last year.

Marmoush surged forward from Egypt’s half, evaded two defenders, but his effort was blocked by goalkeeper Marcel Dandjinou, who deflected the ball with his legs before securing it.

Soon after, Egypt threatened again, only for Benin’s centre-back Yohan Roche to clear the ball off the line as it teetered toward the net.

A collision between Mohamed Hamdy and Rodolfo Aloko caused a lengthy delay, ending with Hamdy being carried off the field and replaced by Ahmed Aboul-Fetouh in midfield.

Despite Egypt dominating possession in the first half, Benin remained competitive, with a superb sliding tackle from Hamdy Fathy stopping a dangerous Benin counterattack.

An incident deep in stoppage time highlighted how cautious Benin were of Mohamed Salah, as the Egyptian captain was immediately surrounded by three defenders when he gained possession just outside the box.

Benin’s goalkeeper Marcel Dandjinou kept his team in the game 10 minutes into the second half, bravely parrying a close-range shot from Ramy Rabia following a loose ball after a corner.

After the hour mark, the match began to open up. Salah attempted a delicate chip at goal, only for Dandjinou to leap and deny him. Shortly after, Egypt goalkeeper Mohamed El Shenawy made a crucial save to prevent substitute Jodel Dossou from giving Benin a shock lead.

Egypt broke the deadlock when Marwan Attia scored, receiving a pass back from Marmoush just outside the box and side-footing the ball into the top corner.

Benin refused to relent and continued pressing, eventually equalising in the 83rd minute through 33-year-old Dossou. El Shenawy did well to palm away a cross from Mohamed Tijani, but the rebound fell to Dossou, who slotted it into the net.

Egypt reclaimed the lead seven minutes into extra time, with Marwan Attia providing the assist. After a short corner, his cross found Yasser Ibrahim, whose looping header evaded Dandjinou and found the back of the net.

Mohamed Salah then sealed the victory with his third goal of the tournament, putting the result beyond doubt.