After scoring two (2) goals in the extra time, Egypt have scaled through, beating Benin 3-1 in the Round of 16 match, and into the quarter finals of the Africa Cup Of Nations (AFCON) 2025 on Monday 5 January, 2026 in Marrakesh.
There were precise chances in the showdown with Liverpool forward, Mohamed Salah, who is still searching for his first AFCON title with his country, largely performing below expectation, until he netted in the extra time to crown Egypt’s victory.
After a first half that recorded no goal, the Pharoahs went in front through Marwan Attia in the 69th minute with a beautiful hit from the edge of the penalty area which struck the top corner.
The Cheetahs kept on searching for a leveller and found in the 83rd minute after Junior Olaitan’s cross took a big deflection and Jodel Dossou scored.
Seven (7) minutes into the extra time, M. Attia turned provider for Yasser Ibrahim, who converted well to return Egypt back in front with his effort from close to the penalty spot, looping the ball over Cheetahs goalkeeper Marcel Dandjinou.
Salah then sealed victory for North Africans in the 124th minute with Zizo’s assist.
The result means Benin are out of the AFCON 2025 and will not be able to repeat their 2019 run to the quarter finals, while, Egypt will face either Ivory Coast or Burkina Faso.
The Elephants and The Stallions will fight for a spot in the last eight of the tournament on Tuesday 6 January, 2026 at 20:00 (WAT) at Stade De Marrakesh.
Salah still has his eye glued on AFCON triumph after making his international debut in 2011, and has found himself emerge loser in two (2) finals.
His goal against Gernot Rohr’s Cheetah means he has netted three (3) times in Morocco, his best at an AFCON.
Egypt lost Trezeguet to injury before Attia’s opener in the 69th minute; at a point in the clash, both teams were forced to make substitutions with Benin striker Aiyegun Tosin and Egypt’s Mohamed Hamdy picking up injuries.
Photo: Mohamed Salah celebrates after scoring the third goal for Egypt against Benin in the AFCON 2025 Round of 16 clash in Marrakesh | Getty Images
