Mohamed Salah converted a controversial penalty to guide 10-man Egypt to a 1-0 victory over South Africa at the Grand Stade d’Agadir, securing the Pharaohs’ progression to the knockout stages of the Africa Cup of Nations.
Salah coolly converted from the spot in the 45th minute after a VAR review determined that South Africa defender Khuliso Mudau had struck the Egyptian captain in the face with his hand whilst jostling for the ball inside the penalty area.
The Liverpool forward, who had scored a stoppage-time winner against Zimbabwe in Egypt’s opening fixture, once again proved decisive as he executed an audacious Panenka-style finish, chipping the ball down the centre as goalkeeper Ronwen Williams dived to his left.
The penalty decision sparked fury amongst the South African contingent, with head coach Hugo Broos calling it ridiculous and suggesting the contact appeared minimal and accidental.
Egypt’s task became considerably more challenging just two minutes later, in the 47th minute of the first half, when Mohamed Hany received his second yellow card for a stamp on Teboho Mokoena, reducing the Pharaohs to 10 men for the entirety of the second period.
South Africa dominated possession after the restart, commanding 64% of the ball as they sought an equaliser. Bafana Bafana registered multiple attempts on goal but encountered an inspired performance from Egyptian goalkeeper Mohamed El Shenawy, who produced a series of crucial saves to preserve his side’s slender advantage, including an excellent low stop to deny Khuliso Mudau from the edge of the box in the 74th minute.
The drama continued deep into stoppage time when VAR was consulted over a potential handball by Yasser Ibrahim inside the Egyptian penalty area following a shot from Teboho Mokoena. After review, Burundian referee Pacifique Ndabihawenimana decided against awarding South Africa a spot-kick, leaving the visitors incensed as their hopes of salvaging a point evaporated.
The result leaves Egypt top of Group B with six points from two matches, guaranteeing their place in the knockout stages. For South Africa, whose 27-match unbeaten run came to an end, the defeat leaves them second on three points heading into their concluding group match against Zimbabwe on Monday. The Pharaohs can now focus on securing top spot in the group, whilst Bafana Bafana must regroup quickly to ensure progression.
