Tarik Leads Egypt to First-Ever Win at Women's Africa Cup of Nations
Written by Joshua Soto (SJC-LI Sports Information)
Yaoundé, CMR| Salma Tarik, the head coach of the St. Joseph's College (L.I.) women's soccer team, scored the winner and game's only goal as the Egyptian Women's National Soccer Team held off Zimbabwe for a 1-0 victory at the Women's Africa Cup of Nations at Omnisports Ahmadou Ahidjo Stadium in Cameroon on Tuesday night.
This is Egypt's second trip to the Africa Cup of Nations (ACON) and its first since 1998 when the side failed to record a point in the tournament. Egypt entered Tuesday's game with zero points after dropping its first game of the tournament, 2-0, to the host nation Cameroon last Saturday.
Tarik netted her historic goal in the 82nd minute to give the Pharaohs their first-ever win in the tournament and to keep them alive for the knockout stages.
Zimbabwe, who was also looking for its first win in the tournament, saw its first attempt to score when a streaking Rutendo Makore headed the ball just wide of the goal at the 15-minute mark. Five minutes later, Tarik would counterattack with a header which was parried by the Zimbabwe goalkeeper Chido Dzingirai.
After a scoreless first half, Tarik broke the ice in the 82nd minute with a sliding in front of goal that directed the ball past the keeper for the game-winner.
With the win Egypt collected all three points and sit in second place in Group A. Zimbabwe and South Africa follow with a point each, respectively.
Egypt will next face South Africa on Friday, November 25 at 12:00 PM EST, in the final match of the group stages. Egypt could advance to the semi-finals with a win or a tie.
For more information on the Africa Women's Cup of Nations click here.
