AGADIR, Morocco (AFP) — Mohamed Salah scored after 124 minutes to clinch a 3-1 extra-time victory for Egypt over plucky minnows Benin in an Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) Last-16 thriller in Agadir.   

Marwan Attia put the Pharaohs ahead in the second half and Jodel Dossou equalized for the Cheetahs, who are 58 places below the record seven-time AFCON champions in the world rankings.

Yasser Ibrahim headed Egypt back in front in the first half of extra time, then Salah broke clear and beat goalkeeper Marcel Dandjinou with a shot from outside the area for his 10th AFCON goal. 

Salah, whose goals have helped Liverpool win many trophies, is seeking a first AFCON winners’ medal, having twice been a runner-up.

Record seven-time champions Egypt stay in Agadir to face title-holders Ivory Coast or Burkina Faso on Saturday in the quarterfinals.

“Before the game, I said there are no easy teams, and Benin was a tough opponent. Egypt is a great team and I want to make my people happy,” Egypt coach Hossam Hassan said. 

“We are sad about the injury to Mohamed Hamdy, which seems serious. His teammates played for him. We are mentally prepared to play either 90 minutes or extra time.” 

Benin coach Gernot Rohr said: “What we saw was a match that was a fight, a real battle, while still playing football. Two teams engaged in a tough contest.”

“When you look at the Egyptian players, we do not have the same level. We missed our best striker Steve Mounie. He would have helped us a lot, particularly in aerial play.”

Egypt changed 10 of the team that drew with Angola in their final group match seven days ago with only midfielder Ibrahim Adel retained.

Benin lacked captain and former Premier League striker Mounie, who had not recovered from an undisclosed illness. 

Egypt had a great chance to go in front after only eight minutes through Manchester City striker Omar Marmoush. 

He darted forward from the Egyptian half, gained possession and stayed ahead of two pursuing defenders only to be foiled by Dandjinou, who blocked the ball with his legs, then grasped it.

A collision between Hamdy and Rodolfo Aloko led to a long delay, which ended with the Egyptian being carried off the field. Ahmed Aboul-Fetouh took his place in midfield.

An incident deep in added time illustrated how wary Benin were of Salah. When the captain gained possession just outside the box, he was immediately surrounded by three opponents. 

Dandjinou rescued Benin 10 minutes into the second half when he bravely parried a close-range shot from Ramy Rabia after the ball ran loose to the defender following a corner. 

As the match passed the hour mark, it began to open up. A Salah attempt to chip the ball into the net was foiled by leaping Dandjinou.

Then, a parry from 37-year-old Egypt goalkeeper Mohamed El Shenawy prevented substitute Dossou giving Benin a shock lead.