Mohamed Salah’s first-half penalty proved decisive as Egypt secured a hard-fought 1–0 victory over South Africa in their Group B clash at the Grand Stade d’Agadir, booking their place in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations Round of 16, Nigeriasoccernet.com reports.
The Pharaohs started on the front foot, dominating possession in the opening exchanges and pinning Bafana Bafana deep inside their own half.
Mohamed Hany’s dangerous cross flashing across the face of goal and Omar Marmoush testing the South African defence from set pieces.
South Africa gradually settled and registered their first effort on target through Lyle Foster, though the attempt lacked the power to trouble Mohamed El Shenawy.
The game’s decisive moment arrived late in the first half. Following a VAR review, Egypt were awarded a penalty after Khuliso Mudau was adjudged to have made contact with Salah inside the box.
The Liverpool forward kept his composure, calmly dispatching the spot-kick straight down the middle to beat Rowen Williams in the 45th minute.
Just moments after the goal, Egypt's Mohamed Hany committed a "rash challenge" on South Africa’s Teboho Mokoena, appearing to stamp on him from behind.
Hany, who was already on a yellow card, was shown a second yellow (resulting in a red) and sent offas Egypt has to play the who second half with a man down.
Bafana Bafana pressed aggressively after the break, enjoying sustained spells in the Egyptian half. Tshepang Moremi, Mudau, and Themba Modiba all went close, but El Shenawy produced a series of crucial saves to preserve Egypt’s lead.
Late drama followed when South Africa were initially awarded a free-kick in a dangerous area before VAR intervened to check for a possible penalty. After review, the referee overturned the decision, denying Bafana Bafana a late chance to equalise.
Egypt held firm through stoppage time to seal their second win in two matches, confirming qualification for the knockout stage, while South Africa were left to rue missed opportunities despite their numerical advantage.
Uche Dozie