Mohamed Salah admitted Egypt are not among the favourites to win the Africa Cup of Nations after needing extra time to overcome Benin 3-1 in Agadir to secure a place in the quarter-finals.
Egypt kept Marcel Dandjinou plenty busy in the first half but could not find a way past the Benin goalkeeper who looked in inspired form.
Marwan Attia broke the deadlock in the 69th minute, guiding home an assured finish after Salah had initiated a move down the right.
Benin refused to be overawed by a team ranked 57 places above them by Fifa, and grabbed a well-deserved equaliser when Jodel Dossou capitalised on a defensive error to equalise and force extra time.
Egypt's experience eventually proved decisive, with Yasser Ibrahim restoring the Pharaohs' lead with a lopping header on 97 minutes before Salah sealed victory with a quick counter-attack in the 124th minute.
With it, Egypt secured a place in the last eight, where they will face either defending champions Ivory Coast or Burkina Faso in the quarter-finals in Agadir on Saturday. It ended Benin's hopes of replicating their 2019 run to the quarter-finals.
Hossam Hassan's side are bidding to win the title for the first time since 2010 and a record eight times overall.
"I don't think we are a favourite at all [to win the title]" Salah told reporters. "We have young players, and most of them play in Egypt. We just fight for our country ... but everybody gives their best and you could see today".
The 33-year-old Liverpool forward said there were no easy games in Afcon.
"The level is quite similar, I told the team yesterday that no side loses by four or five goals. [Benin] have a good team and a good coach ... I'm glad we managed to win in the end".
Salah's goal was his 10th in 22 games at Afcon, two fewer than Hassan El-Shazly, Egypt's all-time top scorer in the tournament and one fewer than his current coach Hassan.
Osimhen at the double for Nigeria
There were no such problems for Nigeria as a brace by star striker Victor Osimhen set the Super Eagles up for a comfortable 4-0 victory over Mozambique.
Nigeria topped their group with three wins but without really convincing that they were serious title contenders in Morocco.
Any doubts over their title credentials were dispelled in ruthless fashion in Fes, however.
Osimhen was wheeling away in celebration with barely two minutes on the clock before his goal was ruled out for offside.
Nigeria would not have to wait much longer to start celebrating, Ademola Lookman finishing with aplomb after a neat cutback in the area by the lively Akor Adams.
Atalanta forward Lookman then turned provider for Osimhen, who doubled Nigeria's lead five minutes later with a close-range finish.
The game was effectively over two minutes after the restart as Galatasaray striker Osimhen tapped home to make it 3-0.
Adams sealed victory with an emphatic strike on 75 minutes to set the Super Eagles up with a quarter-final showdown against either Algeria or DR Congo on Saturday.
How the UAE gratuity payment is calculated now
Employees leaving an organisation are entitled to an end-of-service gratuity after completing at least one year of service.
The tenure is calculated on the number of days worked and does not include lengthy leave periods, such as a sabbatical. If you have worked for a company between one and five years, you are paid 21 days of pay based on your final basic salary. After five years, however, you are entitled to 30 days of pay. The total lump sum you receive is based on the duration of your employment.
1. For those who have worked between one and five years, on a basic salary of Dh10,000 (calculation based on 30 days):
a. Dh10,000 ÷ 30 = Dh333.33. Your daily wage is Dh333.33
b. Dh333.33 x 21 = Dh7,000. So 21 days salary equates to Dh7,000 in gratuity entitlement for each year of service. Multiply this figure for every year of service up to five years.
2. For those who have worked more than five years
c. 333.33 x 30 = Dh10,000. So 30 days’ salary is Dh10,000 in gratuity entitlement for each year of service.
Note: The maximum figure cannot exceed two years total salary figure.
THE BIO
Family: I have three siblings, one older brother (age 25) and two younger sisters, 20 and 13
Favourite book: Asking for my favourite book has to be one of the hardest questions. However a current favourite would be Sidewalk by Mitchell Duneier
Favourite place to travel to: Any walkable city. I also love nature and wildlife
What do you love eating or cooking: I’m constantly in the kitchen. Ever since I changed the way I eat I enjoy choosing and creating what goes into my body. However, nothing can top home cooked food from my parents.
Favorite place to go in the UAE: A quiet beach.
The BIO:
He became the first Emirati to climb Mount Everest in 2011, from the south section in Nepal
He ascended Mount Everest the next year from the more treacherous north Tibetan side
By 2015, he had completed the Explorers Grand Slam
Last year, he conquered K2, the world’s second-highest mountain located on the Pakistan-Chinese border
He carries dried camel meat, dried dates and a wheat mixture for the final summit push
His new goal is to climb 14 peaks that are more than 8,000 metres above sea level
MATCH INFO
Uefa Champions League semi-finals, second leg:
Liverpool (0) v Barcelona (3), Tuesday, 11pm UAE
Game is on BeIN Sports
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Mica
Director: Ismael Ferroukhi
Stars: Zakaria Inan, Sabrina Ouazani
3 stars
if you go
The flights
Emirates flies to Delhi with fares starting from around Dh760 return, while Etihad fares cost about Dh783 return. From Delhi, there are connecting flights to Lucknow.
Where to stay
It is advisable to stay in Lucknow and make a day trip to Kannauj. A stay at the Lebua Lucknow hotel, a traditional Lucknowi mansion, is recommended. Prices start from Dh300 per night (excluding taxes).
