Egypt defeated Gabon 2-0 in a tough match on Saturday night at the Ibn-Batouta Stadium in Tanger to advance to the semi-finals of the TotalEnergies CAF U-23 Africa Cup of Nations, Morocco 2023.

Mahmoud Hassan and Osama Abdelhady scored two goals in the dying minutes to help the defending champions advance to the semifinals and set up a thrilling matchup with Group A runners-up Guinea.

Egypt cautiously approached the encounter against a determined Gabon team that had their pride on the line after losing their matches against Mali and Niger and only needed a draw to advance.

Abdelhady had a great chance to take the lead in the sixth minute after doing well to beat his defender following a long ball from the back to put himself one-on-one with the keeper, but his shot went high.

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A few minutes later, the striker was back in the picture, putting pressure on the goalkeeper whose attempted clearing came off the striker but was unable to find the back of the net.

As the game went on, Gabon ultimately developed a rhythm and began to play with more assurance.

Edlin Matouti, a crucial component of Gabon’s assaults, was unfortunate not to connect with Jeremie Moussango’s well-placed cross in the 30th minute after the latter’s cross was deflected away from the approaching Matouti.

After outmuscling Hossam Abdelsalam, the quick striker continued to be a nuisance and just a minute later came close to opening the scoring with a left-footed shot that the goalkeeper parried.

Egypt came out much more intent in the second half and pushed forward to start the match, but they were met by a fiercely resolute Gabonese defense that put up a good fight.

Just after the hour mark, the North Africans nearly took the lead thanks to their captain and playmaker Ibrahim Mohamed, who displayed class in an attempt to flip the ball over the goalkeeper but was unfortunate to see his effort stopped.

The captain contributed to another play in the 73rd minute when his pass that split the defense found its way to Abdelhady, who blasted directly into the goalkeeper.

In the 82nd minute, Egypt finally took the lead thanks to a skillfully taken corner by replacement Moustafa Sayed that was wonderfully set up for Mahmoud Hassan to score from the edge of the box.

Abdelhady added the finishing touches for Egypt with a well-taken penalty kick with time running out after the problematic Sayed was fouled in the box.

With the win, the reigning champions advanced without giving up a goal in either of their group games.