Salah penalty sends 10-man Egypt into AFCON last 16 after win over South Africa

AGADIR: Mohamed Salah’s first-half penalty helped 10-man Egypt edge South Africa 1–0 in Agadir on Friday, booking the Pharaohs’ place in the round of 16 at the Africa Cup of Nations.

The Liverpool forward converted from the spot on the stroke of half-time after a VAR review confirmed a foul on the Egypt captain. South Africa were later denied a penalty appeal in the second half when the ball appeared to strike Yasser Ibrahim’s arm inside the box.

Egypt finished the match a man down after Mohamed Hany was sent off in first-half added time for a second bookable offence.

With two wins from two games, seven-time champions Egypt top Group B with six points and are guaranteed progression to the knockout stage. South Africa remain on three points, while Angola and Zimbabwe are on one point each after drawing 1–1 earlier in Marrakesh.

Salah said after the match that Egypt executed their plan despite sustained South African pressure.

“It was a tough game; they dominated most of the time … but we walked away with the three points — that’s the most important thing,” he said. “The atmosphere is incredible. Hopefully we can carry on like this.”

Match summary

Egypt created the early chances, with Salah narrowly missing a low cross from Hany inside 11 minutes. South Africa occasionally threatened on the break, but Mohamed El-Shenawy was largely comfortable in goal, denying Lyle Foster midway through the first half.

Salah, closely marked throughout, drifted deeper to retain possession before the decisive moment arrived late in the half. A tangle with Khuliso Mudau resulted in the referee consulting VAR and awarding the penalty, which Salah calmly dispatched as Ronwen Williams dived the wrong way.

Moments later, Egypt suffered a setback when Hany was dismissed for a stamp on Teboho Mokoena.

South Africa pressed with the numerical advantage after the break, forcing El-Shenawy into several saves, including a low stop from Foster. Egypt, however, still threatened on the counter, with Williams blocking substitute Emam Ashour after a quickly taken free kick. Egypt held firm to secure victory and become the first side to qualify for the last 16 of AFCON 202