Liverpool star Mohamed Salah converted a first-half penalty to propel 10-man Egypt to a slim 1-0 victory over South Africa in the second round of the AFCON 2025 group stage on Friday, booking the Pharaohs’ place in the knockout stage.
Egypt entered the game tied with South Africa atop Group B with three points each, following the Pharaohs’ 2-1 victory over Zimbabwe on Monday, while Bafana Bafana had defeated Angola by the same score.
Egypt coach Hossam Hassan opted to make two changes to his starting lineup from the previous game, introducing Rami Rabia and Ahmed ‘Zizo’ Sayed as he switched to a 3-4-3 formation.
Both sides started the game cautiously, with slight pressure from Egypt’s frontline.
The first real threat of the half came for Egypt in the 11th minute when midfielder Zizo sent a cutting pass behind the South African defence, with defender Mohamed Hany meeting the ball, who attempted to find the unmarked Salah in the area, but he put too much power on the cross for the Liverpool star to reach.
Manchester City forward Omar Marmoush came close to breaking the deadlock in the 22nd minute, but his right-footed free-kick from just outside the box narrowly missed the left post.
South Africa responded eight minutes later through Burnley winger Lyle Foster, who tried his luck with a low strike from inside the area, but it was comfortably gathered by goalkeeper Mohamed El-Shenawy.
The breakthrough came five minutes before the break. Burundian referee Pacifique Ndabihawenimana awarded Egypt a penalty following a VAR check after Salah was brought down by Khuliso Mudau inside the box.
Salah confidently converted from the spot with a clinical finish down the middle that sent keeper Ronwen Williams the wrong way.
However, the first half ended on a sour note for the Pharaohs as defender Mohamed Hany received a second yellow card following a harsh foul on Teboho Mokoena, leaving Egypt to play the remainder of the match with 10 men.
El-Shenawy heroics
Hassan reshuffled his pack during the interval, introducing midfielder Emam Ashour for Marmoush and moving Salah into a central forward role.
South Africa started the second half on the offensive, looking to exploit their numerical advantage. They threatened with numerous clear-cut opportunities, but El-Shenawy emerged as the hero, producing a string of fine saves to deny Evidence Makgopa, Mokoena, and Aubrey Modiba.
On the hour mark, substitute Ashour nearly doubled the lead with a powerful shot from inside the area, but Williams produced a brilliant save to keep the visitors in the game.
Despite Hugo Broos’s attempts to freshen up his frontline, Egypt’s organised defence and El-Shenawy’s heroics kept Bafana Bafana at bay.
In the final minute of normal time, as Salah was being substituted for Osama Faisal, the South African players appealed for a penalty for a handball against Yasser Ibrahim, but a VAR review ruled against the claim.
Deep into stoppage time, both Relebohile Mofokeng and Modiba fired from close range, but El-Shenawy made two more spectacular saves to preserve the clean sheet.
With this result, Egypt top the group with six points, becoming the first team to secure a spot in the tournament’s knockout stage.
