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Elneny scores as Egypt lose AFCON final

Mohamed Elneny celebrates his goal against Cameroon

Mohamed Elneny made history but could not prevent Egypt from losing the Africa Cup of Nations final to Cameroon on Sunday.

The midfielder returned to the starting line-up after missing the quarter-final and semi-final through injury, and became the first Arsenal player to score in an Africa Cup of Nations final when he opened the scoring in the first half.

Find out more from Mohamed's tournament, plus all the information on Ismael Bennacer's Algeria, here: 

 

Mohamed ElnenyEgyptMohamed Elneny
Mali 0-0 Egypt, January 17
Egypt 1-0 Uganda, January 21
Egypt 1-0 Ghana, January 25
Egypt 1-0 Morocco, January 29 
Burkina Faso 1-1 Egypt - (3-4 after penalties) - February 1 
Egypt 1-2 Cameroon, February 5 

 

Mohamed played the full 90 minutes as Egypt kicked off with a 0-0 draw against Mali in Port-Gentil. Elneny then played the entirety of Egypt's 1-0 win over Uganda. The victory was only sealed in the 89th minute when Abdalla El Said found the net. Mohamed then played the entirety of Egypt's 1-0 win over Ghana, as they finished top of Group C. Mohamed Salah's goal made all the difference for the Pharoahs. Elneny did not feature in the 1-0 quarter-final win over Morocco due to injury. Kahraba's goal in the 87th minute separated the two sides. Mohamed missed  Egypt's semi-final with Burkina Faso due to injury. Mohamed Salah put Egypt in front after 66 minutes, before Aristide Bance's equaliser. Egypt won 4-3 on penalties, missing just one of their five penalties. Mohamed returned and played the full 90 minutes of the final against Cameroon. Elneny fired in from a tight angle to open the scoring, but a goal from Nicolas N'Koulou levelled the scores. Vincent Aboubakar struck with just two minutes remaining to snatch victory for the Indomitable Lions.

 

Ismael Bennacer AlgeriaIsmael Bennacer
Algeria 2-2 Zimbabwe, January 15
Algeria 1-2 Tunisia, January 19
Senegal 2-2 Algeria, January 23

 

Ismael was called up by coach Georges Leekens at late notice after an injury to Saphir Taider. He was an unused substitute as Algeria drew 2-2 with Zimbabwe. Riyad Mahrez opened the scoring before Kudakwashe Mahachi and Nyasha Mushekwi put Zimbabwe in front. Mahrez then scored again in the 82nd minute to level the scores. Ismael was also an unused substitute in the 2-1 loss to Tunisia. Aissa Mandi's own goal gave Tunisia the lead, which was then doubled by Naim Sliti's strike. A late goal from Sofiane Hanni was not enough to rescue a point for Algeria. Ismael was an unused substitute as Algeria's elimination was confirmed in a 2-2 with Senegal. Islam Slimani put Algeria in front before Papa Kouly Diop's equaliser. Slimani then scored again, but saw his second strike cancelled out by an effort from Moussa Sow.