When Mostafa Mohamed put the Pharaohs ahead after just 89 seconds, a regulation victory appeared to be in the works.
Witi and Clesio scored goals quickly in the second half to give the Mambas a chance to win an Afcon for the first time.
However, Domingos Macandza’s late catch of Mohamed ended their hopes, as Salah managed to salvage a draw.
The Video Assistant Referee had intervened to propose that referee Dahane Beida go to the screen to evaluate the challenge, and Salah held his cool to net his spot-kick via the inside of the left-hand upright in the seventh minute of added time.
Seven-time champions Egypt led early on but were unable to display any fluid forward play, with star player Mohamed Salah unable to have a significant impact.
