Egypt was held to a frustrating 1-1 draw by Botswana in a CAF Africa Cup of Nations qualifier on Tuesday, November 19th, 2024. The Pharaohs, one of the tournament favorites, dropped crucial points at home against a resilient Botswana side. Egypt dominated possession from the start and took a deserved lead through a Mohamed Salah penalty in the first half. However, they failed to kill the game off with a second goal, and Botswana grew in confidence. Against the run of play, the visitors scored a stunning equalizer from a counter-attack in the second half, silencing the home crowd. Egypt threw everything forward in search of a winner, but Botswana's defense and goalkeeper held firm to secure a famous point. This result is a significant setback for Egypt's aim to top their group comfortably.