Mohamed Salah was in action for Egypt as Mostafa Mohamed scored a 90th-minute equaliser in their 1-1 draw against Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s Gabon on Sunday.
The result in Franceville sealed a crucial away point for the Pharaohs in the 2022 Fifa World Cup qualifying campaign despite ending the match with 10 men.
Pyramids defender Omar Gaber was expelled in the 71st minute after receiving his second yellow card and two minutes later, Jim Allevinah broke the deadlock for Gabon after replacing Guelor Kanga in the 66th minute.
The opener was not enough to secure the Panthers their first three points in the qualifiers after Wednesday's surprise 2-1 loss to Libya in Benghazi.
In their quest to grab a point, Egypt brought on Mostafa Mohamed for Al Ahly's Mohamed Magdy in the 77th minute and the Galatasaray man justified his introduction as he scored his first international goal for the Pharaohs with his strike off Salah Mohsen's assist in the 90th minute.
The late goal kept the visitors’ unbeaten run intact as they still remain at the top of Group F with four points after two games while Gabon are third on the table with just a point.
Arsenal captain Aubameyang played the duration of the match alongside Nice’s Mario Lemina, Dijon’s Didier Ndong and Saint-Etienne’s Denis Bouanga but their contributions were not enough to save the Panthers.
On the other hand, Egypt were buoyed to have the services of Salah after he missed their opening group match against Angola on September 1 due to coronavirus restrictions in the UK.
The two-time African Footballer of the Year played from start to finish with Ahmed Hegazi while Al Ahly goalkeeper Mohamed El-Shenawy made some brilliant saves between the sticks.
However, Arsenal’s Mohamed Elneny could not make the trip to Gabon on Sunday because of a muscle injury he picked up at his club.
After playing two matches without a win, Aubameyang's Gabon will turn their attention to their two qualifying fixtures against Angola in October while Salah's Egypt will have a date with North African neighbours during next month's international break.