Salah Keeps Egypt Alive as 10-Man Pharaohs Edge South Africa to Seal AFCON Knockout Spot

Mohamed Salah’s first-half penalty was enough to drag Egypt past South Africa as the seven-time champions survived a nervy second half with 10 men to book their place in the Africa Cup of Nations knockout stages with a game to spare.

The decisive moment came on the stroke of half-time when Salah calmly chipped home from the spot, but celebrations were short-lived. Right-back Mohamed Hany was then sent off in stoppage time at the end of the first half after picking up a second yellow, leaving Egypt to dig in for 45 long minutes.

South Africa tried to turn the screw after the break, with Hugo Broos rolling the dice by bringing on Sipho Mbule for Thalente Mbatha. Bafana Bafana had plenty of the ball but struggled to break down a disciplined Egyptian back line, with Mohamed El Shenawy standing tall in goal.

El Shenawy proved the difference late on. He made a huge save to deny Aubrey Modiba from close range after a clever backheel from Burnley striker Lyle Foster, then calmly dealt with Siyabonga Ngezana’s weak header deep into stoppage time. Egypt always looked dangerous on the counter too, despite being a man down.

The match wasn’t without controversy. Salah’s penalty was awarded after a VAR review for an arm across his face from Khuliso Mudau, a decision that left the South Africans furious. Foster and Mudau both went into the book for their protests, before Salah cheekily rolled in a Panenka to move four goals shy of Hossam Hassan’s long-standing Egypt scoring record.

South Africa thought they might have had a lifeline late on when appeals for handball were waved away after another lengthy VAR check. Referee Pacifique Ndabihawenimana eventually ruled Yasser Ibrahim’s arm was in a natural position as he slid in, to the disbelief of the Bafana bench and fans.

Earlier Angola’s draw with Zimbabwe meant Egypt are now guaranteed a place in the last 16, while South Africa sit two points clear of the group’s bottom two. Egypt are favourites to top Group B and finish the job against Angola in Agadir on Monday, while South Africa must avoid slipping up against Zimbabwe in Marrakesh to make sure they follow them through.