Egypt's shock result against Mozambique in their 2023 Africa Cup of Nations opener has now been attributed to "unusual" circumstances.
A penalty by Mohamed Salah during second half stoppage time saved the Pharaohs blushes as they managed to salvage a 2-2 draw on Sunday.
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During the game, Mozambique, meanwhile, recorded just six shots, two of them being on target, and saw 38% of the ball.
Egypt, meanwhile, enjoyed the lion share of possession, recording 62% of it and registering 21 shots with five of them hitting the target.
Egypt ambassador to Côte d'Ivoire Sherif Seif, however, ascribed the Pharoah's result to the "unusual" weather that the side experienced in Ivory Coast.
"We were hoping for a stronger start for the Egyptian national team in the African Cup of Nations, but the levels in that tournament are high," Seif told Zamalek TV per Yallakora.
"I do not like to make excuses, but the high temperature and unusual humidity are factors that affected the players.
"We were hoping for a better performance and result, but the Egyptian national team players have enough experience to adapt and correct the course in the long journey of the tournament."
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The Pharaohs next challenge will come in the form of Ghana, who will be looking to bounce back from their shock 2-1 defeat to Cape Verde, on Thursday.
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