CAIRO: Egypt and Ghana drew 2-2 in an exciting exhibition played at Cairo International stadium on Wednesday.
A first-half controversial goal by Mohamed Shawky was allowed to stand for Egypt, before Stephen Appiah’s spot kick equalized for the visitors early in the second half.
The Black Stars took a 78th minute lead through Prince Tagoe but substitute Emad Meteb saved the day for Hassan Shehata’s men with a late goal.
ENPPI left-back Abdel-Aziz Tawfik was given his Egypt debut with club compatriot Ahmed Al-Muhammadi starting on the right flank.
Ahly’s Ahmed Fathi was given a centre-back role with the opportunity to support in midfield whenever Egypt had possession.
The game also witnessed Mohamed Zidan’s first start for The Pharaohs in months, after the Borussia Dortmund resolved an earlier spat with Shehata.
On 16 minutes Ahmed Hassan wasted a great opportunity to open the score line, as he missed the target after being brilliantly released through by Zidan.
Eight minutes later, it was Zidan’s turn to give away a comeback goal chance after he was fed by Al-Muhammadi from the right before the unguarded striker shot wide.
Zidan was once again at the centre of play, when he took on John Pantsil before squaring towards Amr Zaki but the latter couldn’t connect with the begging ball.
The former Hamburg forward dished out another cross towards Zaki. After bringing down the ball, the Wigan striker was unlucky to see his shot saved by Latics teammate Richard Kingson.
Ghana’s first real presence was witnessed on 32 minutes through Tagoe.
The Ittifaq hit man broke his way through Egypt’s defense before firing high.
Egypt took the lead after a brilliant move, started by Tawfik and ended with a storming Shawky shot, was judged by the linesman to have crossed the Ghana line.
Tawfik sent a pinpoint looping cross towards Hassan, who flicked towards Shawky. The Middlesbrough midfielder fired a shot off the bar and down the line. TV replays showed that the ball didn’t cross the line.
Despite playing an exhibition, neither coach made any changes at half-time.
Five minutes on, Ghana were awarded a penalty-kick after a cross hit Hani Saied’s arm in the box. Appiah converted successfully despite Essam Al-Hadari’s attempt to keep the ball out.
Egypt could have restored their lead through Zaki, who was found unguarded by Abd-Rabou’s cross but the former’s miscued his header.
In the 60th minute, Shehata introduced Mohamed Barakat in place of Abd-Rabou, and Emad Meteb was brought in for Zaki.
Barakat, who was playing for Egypt for the first time in nearly a year, swapped positions with Hassan, who backtracked to midfield.
In the 78th minute and totally against the run of play, Appiah found acres of space behind the Egypt defense. The free agent hit in a weak low shot which was only parried by Al-Hadari into Tagoe’s path for an easy tap in.
Egypt went gung ho in order to level the score. And their efforts when rewarded when Meteb brilliantly controlled a lose ball inside the box before placing his shot past Kingson.
The two teams equally shared possession throughout the final minutes, to end the thrilling clash in a 2-2 draw.
