Rise of a Football God

"It's the first game of matchday 3 of the AFCON 2025 tournament, and here in the Complexe Sportif Mohammed V Stadium, the Pharaohs of Egypt will be taking on their challengers from Angola".

"It's a must-win game for Egypt".

"Having lost their second group stage game against South Africa, they have only 3 points from 2 games and are now trailing in 3rd position in their group".

"If Egypt are to progress to the knockout stage of the AFCON tournament this time around, a draw is not acceptable. To qualify, they must win!"

"Can they do it?"

"Nobody knows, but Mohamed Salah clearly looks pumped for the occasion!"

"The reigning ballon d'Or winning is warming up at the touchline, clearly in the mode to add to his legend in the AFCON tournament".

"What better way to commemorate an iconic ballon d'Or win than to win the AFCON tournament right after?"

"This tournament, Salah is clearly aiming for glory!"

"On the side of Egypt, they're starting with their customary 4-3-3 formation with Mohamed Salah leading the attacking trio that also has Trezeguet in left wing, and Omar Marmoush in attack".

"The Manchester City striker is also in amazing form this tournament".

"Behind Egypt's attack in midfield is the midfield trio of Fathy, Attia, and Sayed, while their defensive quadruple comprises Hamdy in left back, Abdemmonem and Rabia in center back, and Hany in right back".

"El Shenawy is the man manning the posts for the Pharaohs of Egypt".

"As for Angola, they are lining up in their dynamic diamond-shape 4-4-2 formation again with Neblu in between the posts, and ahead of him Bondo, Buatu, and the Gaspar brothers forming the defensive lineup".

"Ahead of them is Maestro in defensive midfield protecting the defensive line, Banza and Hossi in center midfield, while today Nteka plays as the attacking midfielder for the Angolans".

"As for the offense, Zini and Luvumbo form the attack for Angola".

"Today, Egypt are the favorites but Angola are no pushovers. They're clearly ready to push their opponents to the end and if possible, snatch home the victory".

"And since they're in 2nd position in their group, if they manage to secure a draw today, they would have knocked Egypt out of the tournament, progressing at their expense".

"Ladies and gentlemen, this is a game of high stakes!"

"Peel your eyes and watch, don't miss a moment of this game, or you'd regret it".

As the commentators covered the major event, the players of both national squads finally came out of the tunnel, entering the pitch to a cauldron of noise.

Like the commentators said, this was a game of high stakes.

Nerves were high, and the tension was palpable.

For the Egyptians, it was a must-win situation.

But for the Angolans though, having put themselves in this favorable position due to their impressive performances in their first 2 games, a draw was enough for them to progress to the knockout stage of the tournament.

Despite this though, Angola didn't play a defensive game against the Egyptians. As soon as the referee's whistle sounded, they showed that they meant business even with the high stakes of this game.

FWEEEE!

From the first minute of the game, the intensity of both squads showed.

Omar Marmoush led the Egyptian charge from the front, pressing the opposition defenders with extreme aggression to create chaos.

But prepared for him and Egypt's attack in general, the Angolan defense played a solid game, allowing their midfield and offensive players to thrive.

This was the game of their lives!

They made no mistake.

Bam! Bam!

Once they got the ball, they seemed to transform into a prime Barca, playing quick short passes to cut through the Egyptian formation.

With their diamond 4-4-2 formation, they choked the center of the pitch, the only openings appearing in the wing but even with Salah playing as the right winger for the Egyptians, he failed to make any tangible impact.

Against Salah, Bondo, Angola's left back played the game of his life, following the Egyptian King everywhere he went and man-marking him out of the game.

The first half was extremely frustrating to the Egyptians.

Despite the imperious defense of both nations, desperate not to let a goal in, the game was still extremely exciting as the attackers kept on knocking.

And in the end, Angola shocked the world, getting the goal first.

It happened in the 39th minute of the game, in a counterattacking situation as Nteka, Angola's attacking midfielder received the ball in the middle of the park.

After calming the ball with his first touch, he raised his head to look, and then he froze…

'This…!'

Egypt's goalkeeper was slightly off his lines!

"…!"

The Egyptian goalkeeper noticed the threat immediately but it was already too late as without hesitation, Nteka tried his luck, hitting the ball with venom from the halfway line, sending it with power towards goal.

The full stadium quieted down, spectators holding their breaths in shock.

"…!" Desperate, the Egyptian goalkeeper charged back, looking at the ball but he was not fast enough.

Ping! Pong!

The ball hit the top bar, but then instead of ricocheting outside, it ricocheted off the bar then into the net just in time for the Egypt goalkeeper to arrive, pushing it outside.

"Did it…?!" The commentators roared, then…

FWEEEE!

The referee's whistle sounded, confirming it.

The ball crossed the line before the goalkeeper pushed it outside.

"GOALLLLLL…!!!"

The roars of the Angolan fans in the stadium did not just represent them, it represented millions of Angolan fans around the world and the Angolan dream.

They celebrated excitedly even as Nteka, the hero of the day charged towards the corner flag, sliding on his knees in celebration passionately.

That goal… deflated Egypt's confidence.

Angola got their goal already, making it 1-0 and yet, they refused to defend still as they continued pressing the Egyptians, playing them pound for pound.

Egypt tried every thing in their knowledge, using every weapon in their arsenal and yet, Angola's defense remained elusive to them.

The Pharaohs of Egypt were frustrated.

The first half came to an end 1-0 in Angola's favor.

During halftime, Egypt's Coach faced his players, a look of rage, frustration, and undaunted determination of his face.

He opened his mouth to address his players; he spoke…