Mali and Egypt played out a 0-0 draw in their opening match Group D at the Africa Cup of Nations match played at Stade de Port Gentil in Gabon.
Egypt who are the tournaments favorites ,were forced into an early change when goalkeeper Ahmed El-Shenawi was forced off with a hamstring problem in the 25th minute of the game.
His place was taken by 44-year-old Essam El Hadary, a three-time winner of the tournament who became the competition’s oldest player.
Pharaohs started on a high note with Arsenal midfielder Mohamed having one of the best chances of the first half when he was fed in by former Chelsea mifielder Mohammed Salah, but shot over the bar.
Mali nearly claimed the lead when Bakary Sako shot outside the box nearly snuck inside the far post but Egyptian goalie El Hadary did enough to punch he ball away.
After the break the Pharaohs came back strongly as they continued to threatened the Mali’s back four.
Marwan Mohsen header in the 53rd minute was their closest opportunity that was tipped over the bar by Malian goalie Oumar Sissoko to deny the Pharaohs of what could have been the opener.
After the attack the Egyptians seemed to allow pressure to come at their end.With only ten minutes left Ousmane Coulibaly headed over the bar after connecting from Salif Coulibaly cross.
Earlier on Egyptian coach Hector Cuper had made a change replacing both star man Mohamed Salah and Marwan Mohsen something that gave room for Eagles to launch such an attack.
Group D action will return to action on January 21 for second round of matches in Port-Gentil with Egypt tackling Uganda who lost their match earlier on at the same venue to Ghana.
Line-ups:
Mali : Oumar Sissoko, Ousmane Coulibaly, Salif Coulibaly, Molla Wague, Hamari Traore, Sambou Yatabare (Yves Bissouma 65’), Lassana Coulibaly (Samba Sow 72’), Yacouba Sylla, Mamoutou N’Diaye, Bakary Sako, Moussa Marega
Egypt: Ahmed El Shenawy (Essam El Hadary 25’), Ahmed Hegazy, Mohammed Abdel Shafi, Ali Gabr, Ahmed Fathi, Tarek Hamed, Mahmoud Hassan, Abdallah Said, Mohamed Elneny, Mohamed Salah (Ramadan Sobhi 70’), Marwan Mohsen (Ahmed ‘Koka’ Hassan 76’)
