Egypt booked their place in the round of 16 at the Africa Cup of Nations after edging South Africa 1–0 in a tense Group B encounter, with Mohamed Salah’s first-half penalty proving decisive in Agadir.
Both sides came into the clash full of confidence after narrow opening-day victories. Egypt needed a stoppage-time goal from Salah to overcome Zimbabwe, while South Africa relied on Lyle Foster’s late strike to beat Angola.
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With another win all but guaranteeing qualification, the stakes were high — and it was the Pharaohs who delivered when it mattered most.
South Africa, unbeaten in their previous six meetings with Egypt, showed early attacking intent. Foster came close in the 29th minute after muscling his way into space inside the box, but his effort lacked the power to trouble goalkeeper Mohamed El Shenawy.
Egypt gradually grew into the contest and created the first clear opening when Mohamed Hany surged down the right flank and flashed a dangerous cross across goal, just evading Salah. Omar Marmoush later went close from a free-kick that curled narrowly wide after Teboho Mokoena was booked for a foul outside the area.
The decisive moment arrived two minutes before half-time. Salah went down in the penalty area following contact from Khuliso Mudau, prompting a VAR review. Referee Pacifique Ndabihaweniman awarded a penalty and booked both Mudau and Foster for their protests.
Salah stepped up and calmly clipped the ball straight down the middle to score his 65th international goal, giving Egypt the lead on the stroke of half-time. The situation worsened for the Pharaohs moments later when Hany was shown a second yellow card for a late challenge, leaving Egypt to play the entire second half with 10 men.
Despite the numerical disadvantage, Egypt defended with composure after the break. Salah and Trezeguet combined to set up Emam Ashour, whose low effort was well blocked by Ronwen Williams. South Africa responded with increased pressure, and Mudau forced El Shenawy into a sharp save as Bafana Bafana searched for an equaliser.
Late drama followed when a South African effort struck Yasser Ibrahim’s arm inside the box, sparking loud appeals for a penalty. After VAR intervention, the referee upheld his on-field decision to award a free-kick instead, allowing Egypt to preserve their slender advantage.
The final whistle confirmed Egypt’s first competitive win over South Africa since 2006 and made them the first team to secure qualification for the knockout stage at AFCON 2025.
The result revived memories of South Africa’s famous knockout victory over Egypt in Cairo in 2019, while Egypt head coach Hossam Hassan was part of the squad that defeated Bafana Bafana in the 1998 AFCON final. South Africa coach Hugo Broos also has history against the Pharaohs, having led Cameroon to victory over Egypt in the 2017 final.
South Africa now face a must-win Group B encounter against Zimbabwe on Monday, while Egypt, already assured of a place in the last 16, will take on Angola with top spot in the group firmly in their sights.
