By Our Correspondent

The 2021 Africa Cup of Nations, AFCON got underway in Cameroon on Sunday but for 24-year old Egyptian Defender, Aram Tawfik, his time in the tournament are over after he sustained injury in a challenge with Super Eagles winger, Moses Simon when Nigeria and Egypt clashed on Tuesday.

The Al Ahly defender will miss the remainder of the AFCON having torn his anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) against Nigeria, the Egyptian Football Association, EFA have confirmed.

Making his debut against the Super Eagles, the 24-year-old suffered the setback very early in the game in a challengers with the Nigerian winger.

Moses Tormented the Egyptian right back and his cross in the 34th minute led to the only goal of the match by Kelechi Iheanacho.

Tawfik was subsequently substituted for Mohamed Abdelmoneim in the 12th minute as the North Africans bowed 1-0 to Eguavoen’s men at the Roumde Adjia Stadium in Garoua.

The EFA said on Wednesday “Scans revealed that Tawfik is suffering from a torn anterior cruciate ligament and the player will return to Cairo.”

The injury is a huge setback to the Egyptian senior national team who are hoping to win a record eighth African diadem in Cameroon.

Prior to the encounter against the West Africans, Egypt were unbeaten in each of their last 16 group matches in the competition (12 wins and four draws) – with that loss dating back to 2004.

However, a 30th-minute effort from Kelechi Iheanacho broke that impressive record into pieces.

The North Africans must defeat the Djurtus to fancy their chances of reaching the knockout phase as they target a record eighth African title in Cameroon.

Egypt will face Guinea Bissau in a must win the second Groups D match on Saturday