Mali 0-0 Egypt: Pharaohs forced to settle for share of the spoils as AFCON Group D clash ends in stalemate

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Neither Arsenal star Mohamed Elneny nor former Chelsea winger Mohamed Salah could inspire Egypt to a win in their opening Africa Cup of Nations fixture, as they were held to a goalless draw by Mali.

It has been a feast or famine for Egypt over the last decade - they won three titles in a row between 2006 and 2010 - before failing to qualify for any of the next three.

But they will need to do better than this if they are to keep that record alive, because they created remarkably little against a limited Malian outfit, whose best player, Bakary Sako, cannot get a game for Crystal Palace. 

Mali supporters are in high spirits prior to kick-off as Alain Giresse's side take to the field 

A member of the stadium's security staff asks an Egypt fan to take his seat 

Egypt defender Ali Gabr (left) heads the ball clear under pressure from Lassana Coulibaly

Egypt were dealt an early injury  blow when keeper Ahmed El-Shenawy left the action 

Mali, however, may not have as much talent in their ranks, but they did what they do best: playing  solid, direct football to become more than the sum of their parts. 

In fact, they had the better chances and were far more in control of the game than their north African opponents.

Sako was the star, a constant menace down the left who at one point pulled off a Ronaldinho-esque 'flip-flap', much to the delight of the Port Gentil crowd. 

Two of the Palace man's dangerous crosses in the first half deserved a goal, as both times Lassana Coulibaly failed to get a telling touch.

The first of those incidents still forced Ahmed El-Shenawy into a save, the result of which was an injury which saw him replaced by Essam El-Hadary, who turned 44 this week and in coming on became the oldest player to make an appearance at AFCON.

Egypt coach Hector Cuper shows his frustartion during a goalless first half in Port-Gentil

Mali also utilised Moussa Marega's pace in behind which ought to have earned the Eagles a penalty in just the sixth minute, when a clumsy Ali Gabr challenge somehow went unpunished.

And, unsurprisingly for a side full of huge men, they threatened at set pieces, Ousmane Coulibaly's header over the bar late on the closest this threat came to bringing a goal.

Egypt, on the other hand, were far less impressive than expected, with Salah demonstrating a few brilliant touches, but little sustained excellence. The fact that he was replaced, having just been booked, after 70 minutes, by Stoke youngster Ramadan Sobhi, is a mark of how little he contributed.

 A section of the turf cuts up as as Moussa Marega looks to block Tarek Hamed's clearing kick 

He did, however, produce the touch of the match, taking the ball out of the air superbly before setting up Gunners midfielder Elneny for one of two missed chances in the first half.

Egypt's best opportunities fell to striker Marwan Mohsen, who was twice denied by goalkeeper Oumar Sissoko - the first time with a smothering save inside two minutes, the second a strong push over the bar to stop a header after a brilliant counter-attack and cross from Kahraba.

But there was little else to suggest that the Pharoahs can re-ascend to their throne. In the end, they were fortunate not to lose.

Mail midfielder Yacouba Sylla (right) tussles with Roma forward Mohamed Salah