Africa-Press – Mauritius. What began as a worrying sight of empty stands quickly transformed into a vibrant AFCON 2025 spectacle after organizers and local authorities made a swift decision to open the stadium gates for free during Egypt’s high-profile encounter. With global stars such as Mohamed Salah and Omar Marmoush on display, concerns over the poor optics of a sparsely populated venue prompted action just 20 to 30 minutes into the match, allowing fans to stream in and rescue the atmosphere.
The move proved decisive. By the time the second half was underway, more than 30,000 supporters had filled the stands, injecting noise, color, and urgency into a contest that had begun under muted conditions. The surge of fans elevated the tempo on the pitch, turning the match into a thrilling affair worthy of its billing, as Egypt pushed relentlessly in search of a breakthrough.
In the end, the night belonged to Salah. With the clock winding down and tension thick in the air, the Egyptian captain delivered a last-gasp goal to seal victory, sending the newly energized crowd into raptures. What threatened to be remembered for empty seats instead became a defining AFCON moment.
