Mostafa Mohamed scored the fastest goal in the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations as Egypt took the lead against Mozambique at the Felix Houphouet Boigny Stadium in Ivory Coast on Sunday.

After the Pharaohs captain Mohamed Salah failed to turn the ball into the net using his left foot, the ball fell to Mostafa, who powered it home inside 94th seconds.

The seven-time champions are clear favourites to get maximum points and take command of Group B, but the Mambas will be aiming at spoiling the party against the Pharaohs, who were beaten in the final two years ago by Senegal on penalties in Cameroon.

Egypt lost only one game throughout the 2023 campaign against Tunisia and they started 2024 positively with a 2-0 victory over Tanzania on January 7. As for their opponents, Mozambique are inexperienced at this level despite participating in four AFCONs; that is, 1986, 1996, 1998, and 2010.

Egpyt starting XI: Mohammed Elshenawy, Mohamed Hany, Mohamed Abdelmonem, Ahmed Hegazy, Mohamed Hamdy, Hamdy Fathi, Mohamed Elneny, Ahmed Sayed Zico, Mohamed Salah, Mahmoud Trezeguet and Mostafa Mohamed.

Mozambique starting XI: Ernan Siluane, Domingos Macandza, Edson Sitoe, Edmilson Dove, Renildo Mandava, Gildo Vilanculos, Martins, Alfonso Amade, Witiness Quembo, Gasper Pelembe, Stanley Ratifo.